NAVAL V.C.'S DEATH.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 December 1918, Page 5

NAVAL V.C.'S DEATH.

ÜBUT.-OOMMANDEER SANDERS., SHIP SUNK AT NIGHT, Publication of full details regarding the action in which Lieutenaut-CoHmmu-der W. J3. Sanders, V.C., D.5.0., met his death on August 14, 1917, has now been made possible lor the tot time by the lifting of the censorship. The information given on Tuesday by Mr. IS; H. C. Sanders, father of lieutenantCommander Sanders, is contained in a letter from the Admiralty, written on 'December 14 o£ last year, and sent with the request that the contents be regarded as confidential. No official information has as yet been received by Mr. Sanders as to the particular deed of gallantry for which his son was awarded the V.O. The letter is as follows: ■'Account oS/ the sinking of H.M.S. Prize, Lieutenant-Commander W. & Sanders, R.N.R., by an enemy submarine on August 14, 1917, at 1.30 a.m. A, man-of-war was in company with the Prize decoy sailing ship on August 13, when at 3.50 p.m. the Prize hoisted a signal indicating 'enemy to port,' and hove to. Fire was opened on the Prize, and shots could be seen falling near her, although the submarine with which she was engaged was not seen. The Prize had hoisted the white ensign, Eer guns were seen manned, and she was ready to attack, but it was difficult for the ship in company to make out anything, as was a considerable mist. That night, however, at 9 o'clock, when, the two ships had an oportunity to talk, the Prize gave her some details of the action in the afternoon. The submarine had been sighted in (latitude and longitude given) the Atlantic, north-West of Ireland, about two miles Off, three points before the beam. She dived after firing a few shots, and appeared' again on the starboard side. The Prize opened fire at 200 yards, and Lieutenant-Com-mander Sanders thought he had got five shots home; the enemy submarine appeared to sink, or, at any rate, disappeared.

"After this communication the ship in company drew off, and took station astern of the Prize. The night was dark and squally. The Prize was ahead, her outline just visible. About 130 ajn. a heavy explosion was heard, and the Prize was seen to heel over to port and disappeared in a few seconds. Nothing could be seen of 'her with glasses or with the naked eye. A torpedo had struck her, and she must have sunk immediately. The accompanying- ship passed oloso to the position where the Prize had disappeared, and remained there some time, but nothing could be seen or heaTd in the dark and storm. As soon as day broke—s.ls a.m.—careful seareh of the position was made, but nothing further was seen.

"The Prize had fought gallant actions with submarines on April 30 and June 13. 1917- She was sunk <m August 14 In the Atlantic on a dark and stormy night, and her gallant commander, Xneu-tenant-Commander W. E. Sanders, who in a short five months had been awarded the V.C. and T>.S 0., in command of her, went down with her beneath the Atlantic waves, living his name to be imperishahlv inscribed on the same roll of naval history where stand the names of 'Blake, Nelson, and liiou."