U-BOAT CAUGHT NAPPING

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 46, 19 November 1918, Page 7

U-BOAT CAUGHT NAPPING

RAMMED BY CRUISER IN THE DARKLESS. Tim fate of a German submarine caught, napping and rammed by a cruiser is described in Ihe following story;— The night was very dark, and from tho bridge of the cruiser visibility was low. Out of the black'ness an object suddenly appeared approaching from nlmost dead ahead, aiid at a distance of about 150 yards. One tense '.moment of uncertainty, and then through the darkness, conning- tower, • periscope, and wireless mast took shape.

Very little alteration of the helm was needed to make sure the submarine should not. escape. ' Panic must have overtaken the crew as they saw the cruiser's huge bows bearing down upon them, for bitter cries were raised. Had they had time to reflect they, might have given thought to the cruel fate of merchant seamen cast adrift or shelled in their lifeboats. But it was all over in an instant. Tho crash was followed by an explosion and a sheet of yellow Hame, and the stricken sobmarino sank, leaving on the bows of tho cruiser part cf her superstructure which served to identify her.

It might be thought that a cruiser striking a submarine would scarcely feel the impact, but in this case the shuck was tremendous, and for a moment the cruiser appeared to have been stopped dead. Jinny it! those on board thought she. had struck a mine, and the deafening clatter that followed gave tho idea that both anchors had gone and the caliles were racing out, Knowing there had been an explosion the crew went to I heir stations, but the word (illicitly passed round that a submarine had been sunk,, and a mightv cheer broke forth. , ■ • '