On the Sea

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 53, 8 February 1916, Page 6

On the Sea

TALE OF A SUBMARINE.

A FRENCHMAN’S RUSE.

■" An extraordinary story of a captur;’;t'ed French submarine (says a corresV' pondent at Salonika.) reaches me through what 1 believe to lie trustworthy channels from Constantinople. Some little time ago the French submarine Turquoise got into difficulties in the Sea of Martuora, and was unable to avoid capture, her crew being takeh . prisoners. The submarine was placed on exhibition at Constantinople and was visited by a number of members of the Turkish General Staff, accompanied- by some Turkish gunners. The latter were asked to explain the working of the vessel to the officers, but their experience was insufficient, and they were unable to do so. Then the officers, being greatly interested, sent a messenger to bring one ol the French engineers, to whom the desire of the Turkish officers was explained. The Frenchman saw he might have an opportunity of destroying the submarine,. and left, a note for his comrade prisoners saying what he would do il he had the chance, bidding them good-bye, and writing “Vive la Patrie” at the end of the note. While on board the submarine the Frenchman managed ty set the machinery going before it was noticed what he was doing. There must in all probability have been a struggle in the submarine as it sped away from the shore, but at all events it was seen at some distance from, the spot where it had been oti.exhibition, .and then it was observed ,to kitik. ■ The number of officers •'Mated to be oh board toe lost vessel is ■six. -