LIFE ON A SUBMARINE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 250, 31 March 1915, Page 5

LIFE ON A SUBMARINE.

A GREAT STRAIN ON THE MEN.

INTERVIEW WITH A GERMAN COMMANDER.

Received March-30, 0.20 p.m,

London, March 30,

Hansen, commander of the UIG, interviewed at Kiel, said each German submarine had a definite area. Ho had recently been in the Channel. [He had been out for twenty-one dav4 hut he declined' to say that this was a record. The Germans, ho said, were gradually learning that the methods of submarine warfare were very trying to tile nerves. As the air was heated it became poor, and mixed with odors of oil. The atmosphere was fearful. Overpowering sleepiness often attacked the new men, requiring the utmost will power to keep awake. Sometimes newcomers do not eat for three days, because they\ do not want to lose a moment's sleep. The bad air also produces There are no fires aboard the sirbnyriiies, because they burn oxygen, a»d there is always cold food to avoid wastes of electricity."

Hansen continued: "I sometimes stood for eight hours with,eyes glued to the periscope. When the crew was worked out we submerged and had a long sleeo. Before ascending I always, ordered silence for several minutes' to determine whether there were propellers in the vicinity. The shell-like sides of the submarine act as a sounding board."

GERMAN BRUTALITY.

London, March 29. The submarine fired across " the Aquilla's bows. The Aquilla steamed at full speed, but was soon overtaken. The Germans were angry, and kept up a rapid fire while the crew were launching the boats, killing three and wounding several.

When one boat with ten of a crew, a lady passenger, and ji stewardess was launched, the lady cried "I'm shot," and fell overboard.

The heavy seas capsized the boat, and it is believed all were Rrowned.

The steamer Aquila was sunk by a (submarine off Pembrokeshire. The crew were landed. , The Admiralty announces that the Dutch steamer Amstel was mined and sunk off Flamborough. The crew were saved.

Twenty-six are missing from the Aquila.

DESTROYERS CHASE SUBMARUE.

Amsterdam, March 20. British destroyers chased a big Ger ma n submarine betwem the Mass lightship and Schouweii. The submarine dived and escaped.

SUBMARINE RAMMED,

London, March 20.

Captain Wyatt, of the Great Eastern Railway steamer City of Brussels, states that off tlie Mass lightship a large German submarine signalled for him to stop. Captain Wyatt ignored the signal and went full speed ahead. The submarine attempted to cross bis bows and Cap- ' tain "Wyatt, seeing his chance, shouted, "Starboard the helm; I'll get the blighter." The vessel passed over the spot where the submarine was attempting to submerge. Some of the crew felt a slight shock and the submarine was ■ not! seen afterwards. Captain Wvatt previously commanded the Wrexham, which escaped from U2B.