FIGHTING THE U-BOATS

Hokitika Guardian, 4 May 1917, Page 4

FIGHTING THE U-BOATS

Italy’s Success with Patrol of Aircraft / Rome, March 10 la the - Chamber- m-riny, Admiral Coiai, Muiisrer of MautiD, Explained the measures adopted against submarine wajfaie in c. njut-cf on with the Allied nations "Tne caaßtline,” be said, has been abundantly provided with batteries. Stops Lave been taken to prevent espionage and the revietualiicg o? subm .rices. Torpedo boats and destroycn are actively patrolling the Mediterranean, whete mine barrages have been opportnnateiy disposed so as to hamper the movements of submarines.

' Steel nets also gave good resul s, but were not always suitable owing to the depth of the sea, which wa9 much greater than in the case of the North Sea and the English Channel, Results were proved by the faot that the maritime traffic to the Italian .ports was now greater even than in the period prior to Germany’s recent announcement of unrestricted U boat warfare.

Auti-submarins defence was rendered the more efficacious by the action of aeroplanes and small dirigibles, which were constantly patrolling the sea to warn ships of the presence of hostile submarines.

The arming of merchantmen had had most satisfactory results; 75 per cent of the armed vessels attacked had escaped, while of the unarmed ouly 80 per cent had escaped.

He quoted the case of the Italian steamer Alberto Treves, which had beaten off a submarine after a fight lasting four hours. Sixty-five Italian steamers were already fully armed.