SINKING OF AVENGER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1734, 25 September 1917, Page 4

SINKING OF AVENGER.

CHIEF ENGINEER’S STORY,

The sinking of the armed merchantman Avenger in the North Sea is described by Air J. Dunlop, chief engineer of: the vessel, in a loiter just received. Air Dunlop is n New Zealander, and his family resides at Port Chalmers.

“We were steaming full, speed — 18 knots —at the time,” he writes. “We had 25 look-outs on the ship at the time, hut not one of (hem got Ids eye on the periscope of the submarine until the explosion took place. The torpedo si ruck us right at the after bulkhead in (ho engineroom, tho greaser on watch being killed outright—the only death out of a (‘row of 375. Two of (he engineers on watch were badly shaken and cut, and they had to go to hospital. We were simply helpless in the engine-room, as the water filled that compartment in less than five minutes. The engine-room and No. 4 hold got full of,water right away, but wo thought there was a possibility of saving the ship. However, water got into No. 5 hold somehow, and (he ship started to settle down aft, as though some bulkhead had carried away. The submarine came quite close up to us after all the boats had gone, and we opened fire on him with our Ihree-ponnder, which sowed to keep him below the water, I do not think he had another- torpedo left, because ho had every opportunity of sending another one into us. Shortly after this torpedo destroyers oamc to our rescue, and picked up the boats. Tho submarine was seen again by a destroyer, which gave chase. The submarine was. not seen again after Dial, so we hope he got his deserts. There was an inquiry into the loss, and the captain and officers of the Avenger were complimented on keeping up the glorious traditions of the British Navy.