A MYSTERY SHIP.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1960, 3 April 1919, Page 3

A MYSTERY SHIP.

CIIIEE OFFICER'S STORY, Auckland, April 2. Ai r West more, Chief Officer of the Cuetie, now in port, is brother of Lieut-Commander Westmore, who was in command of'the mystery ship whose exploit made Lient.-Comman-der W. R. Sanders, V.C., famous. He states that the crew wore all volunteers, and Sanders was -second in command. At 0 a.m. they hoard firing in the distance, and altered their course. Presently they sighted two German submarines near a steamer which was carrying stores lo Salonika. The steamer having been torpedoed, the crew had taken to the boats. When the mystery schooner was close enough, the commander of the nearest submarine ordered her to stop. Instead, the schooner lowered a boat containing about six men, who pulled as though they had abandoned the ship. Commander Westmore, Lieu(enant Sanders and some gunners lay “concealed on the schooner. When she drifted wilhin 80 yards of the submarine she hoisted the whild ensign and fired her four guns at point blank range. The submarine was practically blown to pieces, and sank instantly. A second submarine attempted fo attack the schooner-, hut received a second salvo from her guns at 400 yards. The enemy craft disappeared below the surface, and was not seen again. The steamer was not vitally damaged, and her crew returned oi\ board and took her to port with the schooner in tow. Commander Westmore received the D. 5.0., and the chief gunner received (he D.S.C. Lieutenant Sanders was also decorated and given command of the mystery ship on which he eventually gained the V.C.