“SUBMARINE AHEAD”

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20112, 5 December 1939, Page 8

“SUBMARINE AHEAD”

ALARM ON TANKER GUN CREW ON THE JOB NEW ZEALANDER’S LETTER A dramatic account of a British tanker’s encounter with a submarine in eastern waters is contained in a letter received from a member of the gun crew, whose parents live in Auckland. "About 8 a.m. the siren suddenly blared out . . . ‘Gun crew to action stations, submarine submerged ahead’,” stated the letter. The ship immediately started to zig-zag. This is the answer to our prayer, but we have very little hope that it is an enemy sub. because there is a Dutch naval base not far away. But as the submarine flew no colours and acted in a suspicious manner we didn’t wait to see. “It took the gun’s crew two minutes and a quarter from the time the alarm was sounded until the time the gun was reported loaded and ready for action, this including waking and dressing. We didn’t see the sub. again, but I guess that when he saw what he’d started by doing a ‘crash’ dive he was sorry, because there we were, careering all over the ocean with a gun .just waiting to be fired. If he had broken surface anywhere near the ship I guess he would have stopped something, because we would have inquired later. Anyway the incident has been reported to the authorities.” First Target Practice

The writer says that all hands were calm during the emergency, and showed no signs of the nervousness of the previous day, when they had had their first target practice. Describing this experience he says the target was a 55-gallon oil drum at 2000yds. The first shot fell 600yds. over the drum. The next fell in line with the target but just over.

According to naval standards this would be recorded ns a direct hit,” he continues. The ship, which is still going at full speed, is turned round and steams broadside on to the target. The range is about 2500yd5., and the barrel is invisible to the naked eye. but just discernible as a red spot on the sea through the telescopic sights. The ship is rolling easily. The third shot falls short, but as the fourth follows it the target disappears. The shot may have fallen short or may have been a direct hit. Anyway, our first practice is over and the captain is pleased, counting two definite hits with a possible third. Had the other been a live shell its shat'ering effect would have shaken a submarine.”