U-BOAT AND CRUISER.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 February 1918, Page 3

U-BOAT AND CRUISER.

The following official account has been issued regarding the linking of the Chateau Renault, reported on December 19th.

The French cruiser Chateaii Renault, while cruising in the lonian Sea, was attacked by a submarine at 7.T0 a.m on December 14th. The. torpedo struck the vessel amidships on the starboard side level with the stokeholds, which the sea immediately flooded, while the explosion of the condensers resulted in the stoppage of all the engines. Destroyers dashed in the direction whence the attack had come, and shelled tlio spot where the submarine had disappeared. During the life-sav-ing operations the enemy submarine again rose to the surface,, and was seen to the left of the 'Chateau Renault, which already had sunk to the level of the portholes; hut her gunners opened fire and the submarine hn-stry submerged. A little later another torpedo was discharged at the crippled cruiser, striking her for the second time on the starboard side, ns a result! of which she plunged bows foremost and rapidly disappeared. All the passengers were -saved, but 10 men of the crew, who are missing, were probably killed by the first explosion. The destroyers, which were now crowded with the rescued, renewed their attacks. A little later the enemy vessel again rose to the surface, but again disappeared under a rain of shells. Two seaplanes also dropped bombs on the submarine. One, projectile probably rendered the submarine unable to remain submerged for the vessel once again rose to the surface, and was immediately surrounded by destroyers. An enemy gunner was carried away by a shell in the act of sighting his weapon. All the Germans threw themselves into the sea, whilst what remained of the submarine sank like a stone, having been blown to pieces by our artillery. Our prisoners amount to 22 men, including the-captain of the submarine and two other officers.