On the Sea

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 54, 9 February 1916, Page 5

On the Sea

THE BARALONC AFFAIR. TRUE FACTS OF THE CASE. AMERICAN CATTLEMEN IN A RAGE. NO MERCY FOR THE GERMANS fUntthio Pawns A«WOOT,m«N.J (Received 8.5 a.rn.) London, February 8.

The Daily Telegraph publishes a full story of the Baralong incident. The Nicosian carried a cargo of mules, and had a crew consisting of the captain, mate, and half-a-dozen men, apart from ten or twelve American cattlemen, of the type described in Kipling’s “Mnlholland’s Contract.” Certainly they were not the breed to lightly take a cold-blooded attempt at murder sitting down. When the Xicosian’s watch had reported that a German submarine was practically alongside, a torpedo immediately struck the Nicosian, but the bulkheads held out, and she only sank about a foot with a heavy list to port. The engines were stopped and two boats lowered, but the cattlemen refused to follow the captain and crew into the boats. At this moment the Baralong appeared, and tlie Nicosian’s crew rowed towards her.

The submarine's commander, finding that the Nicosian was winged, determined to keep the last torpedo for the clumsy-looking newcomer and to send a bombing party to finish off the Nicosian. The crew had no sooner clambered up the Nicosian than a couple of shells ended the submarine. The commander then determined to board the Nicosian and surrender, but a thrilling tragedy ensued. The cattlemen, realising the purpose of the bombing party, awaited the boat’s approach, hein£ armed with furnace bars three feet long and as thick as one’s wrist. When the Germans climbed on the deck, the cattlemen made a rush ; the submariners used their firearms for a minute, but the affray soon ended. They were caught in the act of laying bombs on the ship, and the Germans found no mercy from the infuriated Americans. One or two submariners were killed immediately, and a grim chase followed, which puzzled the Baralong and the German

commander, who was almost alongsh

The trapped Germans sought the safety of the cabins and lavatories, but the doors were smashed in, and two took refuse in the tunnel of the propeller shaft. | In the midst of the struggle a German officer and tin' second boat s crew came aboard, and the same late aas dealt out to them. The submarine commander rushed the bridge, hoping the Baraloug would see the position and save them, hut the entire British Navy would have laded against the rage of the cattlemen. 1 hey tied two tire bars to his feet and he was thrown overboard. Then the avengers stayed their hands, and received a businesslike visit from the Baraloug’,s officer, who learned of the tact lor the iirst time. SUBMARINE SURPRISES. Amsterdam, Kehmary 8. The Cologne Volks Zeitnng says the Germans are prepared for further submarine surprises with the object of naming the world during the noxi few days.