SIERRA'S NARROW ESCAPE
COLLISION AVITH ENEMY SUBMARINE. The mail steamer Sierra, well known in tho San Francisco mail'service, under the Oceanic S.S. Company's flag, ))ad a sensational experience in the Atlantic about a month previous to the signing of tho armistice. ( The Sierra was requisitioned' by the iJhited States Govoriiment for transport work, and she was passing through the war zone one stormy nißht when a large U-boat .crashed into her. Tho impact tore a big hole under the water-line near the storn. One of tho big twin screws of the Sierra became tangled in the superstructure of the submarine, and tho officer on watcli states that the undersea craft was lifted out of the vater momentarily, so that it was clearly outlined. ' Then it slipped back, and tho inevitable'phosphorescent trail was observed. One of the Sierra's propellers went into the U-boat. The propeller's shaft raced at top speed, 6oiug considerable damage. The rent iir tho liner was a largu one. Despite the closing of the watertight compartments the vessel was taStliiK in more water than the pumps could wmtrol, and it was' foared she would founder. Luckily the steamer had a quantity,of timber in her holds, and the captain had this used to plug the hole. By this means the. heavy inrush of water was checked, ahd this hllowedthe crew, with other material, tarpaulins, and coal, to construct a bulkhead and keep tho vessel aflont. Using one propeller the Sierra limped into the nearest port, 600 mil»B' distant, three days later.
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Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 98, 20 January 1919, Page 4
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252SIERRA'S NARROW ESCAPE Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 98, 20 January 1919, Page 4
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