THRILLING SEA STORY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 101, 23 January 1919, Page 4

THRILLING SEA STORY

VESSEL'S "DOUBLE" SUNK

SHIPLOAD OF EXPLOSIVES

SAVED

That the system of espionage by the enemy was of the highest order is borne out by the story of the Commonwealth Government liner Australport, which was related by Captain F. J. Ogilrie, previously in command bf the Australport, and at present master of the steamer Australcraa of the same line (states the Sydney "Sun") , "We were bound from Australia to London with a freight of foodstuffs," said the skipper. "On getting through the Panama Canal we put in at Newport News to replenish our bunkers, and afterwards proceeded to a rendezvous arranged by the Admiralty off tho American coast..

"In spite of the submarine activity, then at its height (May, 1918), we reached the allotted position safely, and took our place in a fleet of forty to be convoyed across the Atlantic by seven destroyers, three _ of which were American and four British.

"The fleet of ships was spread out into six tiers, four of sis and two of seven vessels, two large freighters, one named Argonaut, and the other _ an unnamed sister-ship, painted and similarly rigged, taking up a position between the' third and fourth columns. The Argonaut was laden, as we were, with foodstuffs, and the sister-ship carried mines manufactured in ■ America to bo laid in the North Sea.

"Fearing that information with regard to the nature of this vessel's cargo might have been communicated in some, way to the undersea pirates, the Admiralty had adopted this ruse as a special precaution in case of attack. It was just as well they did so,- as there , would have been very little left of the fleet of forty ships, had a torpedo hit such an explosive target. Huns Cat "Cood Oil." "That the Germans had received thfi 'good oil' about this special line and our routs was apparent on June 6, when we arrived at a rendezvous laid down as a parting point for those vessels not bound for Britain. I

"We had hardly reduced speed to receive our various orders from the escort when a submarine attacked. We knew at once that information regarding the course of the convoy had leaked our through some channel. "That the enemy was also aware of the being in our company was evident from the fact that his first attentions wore 'directed towards the two similarly rigged vessels in the centre of. the fleet.

"Fortunately for us, . his \ torpedo landed home on the Argonaut, and the sister ship came out of the encounter unscathed. The Argonaut sank .in a. few minutes, her crew being rescued by a destroyer. The submarine only got , the one torpedo away. Before he could release another several of the escort were after him, and getting over the spot where he had submerged, fourteen depth charges were dropped. A deafening explosion and bits of submarine rising out' of the sea afterwards acquainted the large fleet, all with guns cleared for action, that the immediate danger was over. ;

"That the German crew was brave in this exploit there is little, doubt. They were courting certain death. Knowing what the target aimed at consisted of, they knew to a man that in the event of the torpedo getting it in right place, not only would the mine vessel have been blown to pieces, but also every other ship, in the convoy, and the submarine into the bargain. "It was a lucky shave," said Captain Ogilvie, who seemed no wise put out by .his thrilling experience, "yet just one of the many that have come into the .everyday life ; of the merchant sailor since 1914." ' ■