SUBMARINE METHODS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1898, 2 November 1918, Page 1

SUBMARINE METHODS.

FISHERMEN SET ADRIFT. BRUTAL HERMAN OFFICER. The methods of the Gorman submarine in dealing; with British seamen are well set forth in (lie narrative of a man who has been for the fourth time the victim of the enemy’s brutality. In brief, the story is that, after the ten members of llie crew of a torpedoed ship had entered the single lifeboat one of (he German officers deprived them of their food, (ho mast and sails, four oars, and two compasses. The compasses were wilfully smashed on tjio deck of (he submarine. The men were east adrift 120 miles from land, and left with only two oars to gain the coast. How they were rescued after s(i hours in the frail craft forms a thrilling chapter in the records of the merchauf",service, The little ship left a neutral port, homeward hound. At half-past two o’clock on the following afternoon there came from the port quarter the report of a, gun. ft was at once evident that Ihe shot came from a submarine, which, however, was not then visible. The ship was placed stern on.in the direction of the enemy craft. A second shot rang out and then a third, which threw sufficient water on the poop to drown an average man. Soon shot after shot was tired by the submarine, and ultimately the ship responded with her gun until after the fifteenth shot the weapon jammed. Just at this time the submarine, with Iter 18-pounder, had succeeded in placing a projectile between the crew’s quarters forward and (he forehold. The enemy kept tiring continuously, and in til! sent across some (it) shots from two guns. When the ship’s-gun jammed the commander saw that it was useless to hope to save his vessel, us she was (hen sinking by the head. Tie ordered all hands into the solitary lifeboat. This was slung over the side, nnd all got into her,- the last man to leave being the captain. The boat left the ship just as she was sinking, and steered away. The submarine was seen about three miles off, and she kepi continuously firing. The lifeboat proceeded in an eastward direction. She was fitted with (wo bread-tanks, red lights two compasses, mast, nnd sad. Meanwhile the submarine was drawing rapidly closer. As she came within hail the German lieutenant shouted out; “Where is your captain?’’ The master was then steering in (he lifeboat, and he was immediately ordered aboard the submarine while the lifeboat was told off. After a quarter of an hour the lifeboat was again ordered alongside the submarine, and the two guns were taken on hoard the enemy vessel. The ship’s skipper was I (del to hand over his papers. The lieutenant pointed his hand at him, and said: “You are Englishmen; wUnl right have 1 you to fire on a German warship or submarine?’’ The captain replied: “That’s what our gun was placed aboard our ship for.’’ The skipper was then questioned regarding the gunners, and was (old sternly (hat if he was caught again he would he shot. BOA 'l' LEFT WITH ONLY 'TWO OAT? ft. When the two ship’s gunners went aboard the submarine they were met, with a demand as to where their uniforms were, and if they belonged