ADVENTURES WITH ENEMY SHIPS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17690, 30 July 1919, Page 5

ADVENTURES WITH ENEMY SHIPS.

THE CITUPRA'S EXPERIENCES. AN INTERESTING HISTORY. (From Our Own Correspondent.) CHRISTGHURCH, July 29. The troopship Chupra, which reached Lyfctelton yest3rday, has an interesting war history It was whilst this vessel Was berthed at Madras that a shell from tho famous German raider, the Emden, landed oj her deck, and, in addition to doing som© damage, killed one of • the sliip's cadets. In Februairy of last year she left New Orleans with a cargo of wheat for Leghorn (Italy), and at about noon on March 23, when off tho Azores, tho weather bsing foggy, she was suddenly fired on by, it is believed, a-submarine chaser. Tho submarine fired' 40 shots from a large gun and one of smaller calibre, and the Chupra's 4 7 gun replied with 15 rounds. Owing to tha fog, the- submarine oould not bo seen, •but the flashes from her gun gave her positaon _ Fortunately, only one enemy shot hit- the Chupra. It -went through "the bridge on to tho foredeek, toi?re it exploded, without causing any casualties. Captain C. 11. King, who is still in command, himself took the wheel and steered a. course until the Chupra was clear of dangar. Gibraltar was reached after two days* steaming, and 14 cays later the vessel was ready to procced to Leghorn. Captain Kin"later received tho D.S.C. in recognition of his saying hie sh:p and endeavouring to ™ sl,b:ilJlr ' ne - The chief officer of the Chupra was chief of the Matiana when that vessel -was torpedoed, and on three different occasions he has had to.ta.kc part in lighting U boats. *