SINKING Of THE WIEN.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 December 1917, Page 3

SINKING Of THE WIEN.

A. GALLANT LIEUTENANT.

J.ONDOX Doecmber IT. Mr. l’ercival Gibbon, telegraphing to the “Daily Chronicle,” describes the

recent sinking of Austrian war vessels in Trieste. 'He says the hero of the ! -exploit was Lieutenant Rizzo, a Sicilion, aged 30, with tbo strong mascuj lino good looks of his race. Ho com- | nianded two launches, the. second of J which was entrusted to a tough, fircI cater of 62 years. It was past midnight and the air was misty as tile harbour was approached. Tho harbour ■consists of three piers, making two channels, one on either side of the central pier. Both were closed by boonis -and nets, with mines all linked to the piers bv steel hawsers. The boats' glided alongside the pier, and Rizzo climbed on the concrete side and reconnoitred. Nobody was on that pier, but •there was a- guardroom in the middle of the pier, whence eam<> confusion ■of voices and the barking of a dog. In the railway station ashore an engine screamed vociferously .and be--tweon whiles bo beard the slap-slap of the feet of a sentry patrolling the middle pier. Rizzo crawled back and gave an order, and up came his men, ascending the concrete on their hands, and knees, and passing the big cutting tools from band to hand. Some began to cut the cables; two scouted inshore lost some sentry should arrive. The instruments worked well. The cutters bit their way through strand after strand of twisted steel wire. Tho cables above water were easily severed. Then five below were 'hauled to the surface -and cut in turn. Finally the weight of net and attachments tore the last steei strands asunder.

The whole great cobweb of metal and explosives sank and the harbour lay open. Rizzo and his men re-entered the boats, which had proceeded into Muggia, where tho Wien and her sister ship Monarch were nosing the buoys. The Monarch slumbered 2(X) yards hyoiul tli Wien.. Rizzo halted when ho had the enemy at 150 yards, and the second boat shifted out and got a lino, which cleared the Wien’s bow and commanded ttho Monarch’s ¥>t#'l flank. Rizzo raised his arm, and in the gloom saw the old potty-officer answering his gesture. The word was given and the within a second four long steel devils were sliding through the water, for the enemy. A roar, a blast of flame, a waterspout and a second roar as the Monarch, too, got her dose. Tn the motor boats the men veiled involuntarily. as the torpedoes landed on their targets. The Wien’s searchlight flashed out and sawed the darkness Shouting and stamping could he heard on the deck of the wounded ship. Searchlights were waking along the shore and anti-air craft guns wore rousing rYerywhero. No one in Trieste knew whence tho attack had come whether from the air sea or sky. Festooned with bursting shrapnel the ships in the harbour fired seaward. The Rizzo’s men saw the Wien listing towards them, and shells spouted around as-Mhey escaped. Both boats saw tho Wien’s death struggle. The Monarch still floated. The conquerors breakfasted at home; everyone was very hungry.