A BRITISH-DECOY.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 August 1918, Page 2

A BRITISH-DECOY.

A RUSE Ti-lAT SUCCEEDED. A THRILLING TALE. [VF.n PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.] LONDON, August 5. Sir Eric Geddes in a speech in London, told a thrilling, tale of a fight with a British decoy ship and a submarine. He called them “Q” ships. Q 60 had the appearance of a dingy old collier, and a crew like that of a merchantman. She sailed under sealed orders. She sighted a submarine and mimediatley turned .pretending to escape. The submarine chased and shelled hoi. The collier feebly replied with a little gun. t The collier was badly knocked nbout aud the wounded and dead lay about the decks. ~ .. In order to deceive the submarine tlie collier signalled “Abandoning ship.” A specially trained panic crew went over the side with every sign of fear and haste. Shells went through the collier’s poop. Then the enemy ceased to firo and closed in thinking she had an easy prey. As she approached the collier s gazino exploded and blew up a stern gun and gun crew. - The captain wirelessed a warship which answered a sham signal for help but was really tollinjr her to keep away as tho action had not yet ended. The submarine resumed shelling mercilessly, hut the collier had a' sling tail and fired two torpedoes.

She kept firing till the submarine was badly damaged and the collier was sink ing. Warships waiting below the horizon appeared on the scene and joined when tlie submarine was sunk. The fight lasted five hours. Sir Eric Geddes said that by such means as these the trade and trooping routes of the Allies were kept open.