TRAWLERS' PLUCKY FIGHT.

Taihape Daily Times, 2 November 1918, Page 3

TRAWLERS' PLUCKY FIGHT.

FISHERMEN FACE ODDS. A spirited and succ-essful action bej tween two British trawlers and ah enemy submarine is thus described in ,'the Morning Post. Of the three aviators concerned, the first two were unarmed. They left their base for the fishing grounds, with instructions to return to port two weeks later. They reached the fishing grounds in' safety, completed their catch, and set out for home at noon one day. Two days later, at 2.20 p.m., a German submarine was sighted on the surface, and when about 4500yds away the enemy opened fire. The skipper in charge instructed the unarmed traweler to keep clear, and then the two armed trawlers were brought round so that their guns could bear upon the German.

The odds were all against these gallant fishermen for the submarine appeared to be very long, and carried three guns. After firing several, rounds he came in rapidly towards the trawlers, then, swinging broadside on, fired a salvo of shells at them and with- , drew agai.n Each of the skippers liad taken up the position on the top of his whcclhouse, and from here they directed their gunner's fire, assisted | by deckhands stationed in the rigging of the foremast. The German continued his tactics of swift rushes, and soon the shells were falling all around the trawlers. When the unequal fight had lasted an hour the first trawler .was hit on her starboard side, the shell piercing her bulwarks, deck, boiler \ casing and boat. A shell splinter wounded the chief engineer, while on duty in the engine-room, and immediately afterwards another shell burst on the port side, wounding tbe gunner in the leg, breaking the wheel-house windows, and penetrating both wheelhouse and funnel.

Meanwhile, the skipper of the second trawler, on the roof of his wheel-house was struck on the head by a piece of shrapnel. Although losing blood freely ho did, not leave the roof, "but after hastily bandaging his wound with some handkerchiefs, continued to direct the gunners. A few minutes later a shell burst within 2ft. of the taffrail, and the second" gunner was severely wounded by shrapnel in the leg. After that the second trawler was struck below the water-line, close Fo the rudder, and her after end began to fill. The skipper though; his vesel would sink, but continued the action. Again the submarine came on and poured another broadside- over the trawlers. Before she cbu±*3 draw off both vessels had replied with well directed round's, which the gunners are confident hit the enemy. At any rate, the German broke, off the engagement and steamed away.

Although out-gunned the trawlers had fought a highly successful action, and all three vessels were able to return, in safety to port. The first trawler fired 36 shells, the second trawler 47, while the submarine fired not less than 200 rounds, In the words of the official report, "all ratings did their duty as British seamen, and said they would fight to the last."