University of South Carolina Libraries
HOW A SUBMARINE TORPEDOED A SHIP Just What Happens Described From the Point of View of Both Attacker and Attacked. Early in the great war the world was astounded -by the "London Of dieial," that three British scout cruis ers-Aboukir, Hogue and Cressy-had been sunk by torpedooe. Later, a wave of wonder spread ovei the civilized world when Berlin announced that all three sinkings were the work of one submarine, the U-9. Froni that period of the war right up to the present time the operations of undersea fighters have held. the in terest of every follower of the gigan tic events. Where will they lead? low does Germany keep It up? Why doesn't England get after the Germans? These are questions asked continually. Oth ers, which show the keen interest in submarines, are for information re garding them. What actually hap pens when a submarine fires a tor pedo? What is the usual distance be tween the subsea boat and its intend ed victim Is she on the surface when naing 'the attack? A succession of events has made It possible for statements to be obtained of men and women on torpedoed steamships and at least one officer on a German U-boat has been able to tell his story regarding such attacks. The World published these at the time they were made. Every navy guards with great care its submarine secrets. Long before the present war the United States navy department Issued orders for bidding any one to board its little lighters unless they b in the navy or armnled with many permits. The same situation obtained in foreign navies. Few books can be procured with the data that, are of most. interest. A re porter for The World, however, has obtained from the highest authority the facts that follow. In the flirs. place, no submarine can launch its torpedo w%'ith any hope of hitting the target unless the latter is seen by tle imian at the periscope. Therefore, it iilust be near the sur face, so tlat observations can be tnade. Torpedoes have a range of 7,000 yards---about fou r hian(d miles. As a general rih' lite Geriman I* boats use(l in attacking merchant vessel lan tii lheir torpedoes front a distanlce% of two tiles. At. that di tan ce it Is very diflicult for any one on tlie doomied vessel to observe Iheir periscope. Torpedoes rush tIhro uuglh the water at a rate of from 2S to 10 kiots an hour. The average speed figureI In land miles Is about 36 miles an hour. As the torpedo speeds thlroughi the water it makes a wake like a huge fish. In addition is the telltale wa'ke of bubbles-eaused by tile exhaust from I tle coprlieI'icsed a ii chain bers that give it niomentui. Once the submarine Is clear of her harbor and on the high sea, where she Is destined to operate, her coi mlanderi must keel a keen watch for enemy craft. hie riemiia his (1n Ohe sur face as mtuch as lie can, hils conning tower and' Ju1 (mll eck being jutt above w'ater and~ hiis lier'scope stick ing uip 15 or 20 feet fur thjer. This is the niormial c'ruiising piosillont. When('i submerged thle gasol Inc engines must be st oppied and t lie submartine r'ien by Its elect rIc baterles. No submarine can cru'tise tinder wvater for' miote than about eight hours at. a tine wvithou~t c'omintg upi for moi~re alir. if it be desire io rest on the bottom it miay r'emin undi~er a little hongeir wvIthout endangering thle men on board. There are nlo submarInes bulii that can desc'end to a depth gr'eatetr than 150 feet. ConseCinently ther'e Is v'ery little resting on the bottom otnce they start on a cruIse rat' out to sea. A submarine that wvishes to dlodge vessels afloat may sink and r'etmain beneath the water until it figur'es that all danger' is past. 11cr comnmandler will know wvhen he has dlescendied about eIghty feet and hie will remain there. He has delicate Instruments aboard-sounding bells some call them-that convey to him the throb of a p~ropeller. lie can then crulso by comnpass to somne other portion of the sea and there take his chances of being discovered wvhen coming uip. When rising to the surface for alt' and observation those on submarines * in war time take chances. They have no way of learning the presence of etome sdrifting trawler armed with a light gun thne can destroy them. Nor can they 1 a torpedio boat destr'oy or Is watti... ready wvith hier' shaprp lprow to rain them.. Aviation has proved of great assist ance in thle hunt for submerged sub marines. Observers in hyd roplanes can ''spot'' the submarine even when submerged and~ Warn torpedo boats Cof its presence. When thle subniaine lhas -poked hior periscope ablove water and~ those 071 b)oardl have ftlotedl the nea i's clear sihe ennX iise~. Shie reima Ins at the ortiising dep9th wivle sea 'ehimi fot' hter prey or wvatching f6~' thle aippieuaane' of fighting slhilsef'romi $ch she wili fico. She in defxenhe, dd must lie careful lost zhe be dcestroycd while trying to launch her torpedo. There fore lie is used principally as a com merce raider. When at, the cruising depth the lookout 'sights . the smoke of some vessel the course is changed, and when at the proper distance the sub marine is sunk .beneath the surface, only the periscope sticking up. "Noiselessly we slip closer and closer in oui exciting chase," the commander of one of the U-boats has related. "The main thing was that our periscope should not be observed. Po that the steamer would not change her course at the\ last momeht and escape us. Very cautiously I stick just the tip of the periscope above the surface at intervals of a few minutes, take the position of the steamer in a second, and, like a flash pull it down again. "This second was suflcient for me to see what I wanted to see. The steamer was to starboard and was 'heading at a good speed across our bow. To judge from the foaming waves which were thrown off from the bow I calculated that her speed must be about 16 knots. "The hunter knows how Important it is to have a knowledge of the speed at which his prey Is moving. lie can calculate the speed closer when it is a wounded hare than when It is one which in fight at high speed rushes past. It was only necesary for, therefore, to calculate the speed of the Mhip, for which a sailor has an ex- 1 perlenced eye. I then plotted the ex act angle we needed. I measured this 'by a scale which had been placed 1 above the sightS of the periscope. NowI I only had to let the steamer come along until It had reached the zero point on the perlscop'e and fire the torpedo, which then must strick its mark. "You see, it is Very simple. I esti mate the. speed of the boat, aim with the periscope, and fire at the right moment." Subminarine commanders must cal ('late well the speed of the vessel at. whieh they intend firing and figure exactly where it will be when the tot' i'edo shall hit it. They have instru rients for measurting the speed of the Nessel. The commander who will be successful in a surprise attack must pr'ove coiect In hiis presti pt ion that he has not been observed. The vessel Imist be continued at its usual speed. Tlhen it, is merely a mathema tical problem, worked out with a $-4,000 torpedo that goes through the ocean jst a 'few feet below the surface. Nlast ers of Inerchan Iment can es (ape torpe(does if they are seen soon enotigh to change their course. Speed and a quick answer to the helm are p ecessary for the successful sinbma ritne dodger. Constant lookout must 1 he mnaintained for the submarines, 1 and the ship's crew iust always he onl the alert to do their part, once the telltale wake of the torpedo is dis Corned. Submnarines have greater speed than the average freighters. That is why the latter atre so easily over hattled and attacked by the deek goun withI wihichi the larger Ul-boats W\hent the Lutsitan Ia was t orpedoed just off of the Old Ileadl of Kinsale, on the souith coast of Ireland, on May 7, 1915, this Is w"hat. was observed by one of thle piassengeris, J1. I1. ltrooks of flrldg'lort, Conn., whent inter v'Iewedl by3 thle Londlon copot' nd5i~~ett of The Wor'ld t wo (lays later: '"At abotut It) o'clock, shtipi's time, the fog l ifted anid ou r sliced inicreas ed to abiout 17 knots. At 2 o''clock I finished a lightt lutnch and passed uip on the boat deck and up the little stalt'way which leads to the hutrri cane deck. "As I t'eachied the corner of the Mar'coni house I looked out over the sea. It was calm as a lake and the sun was shining. Suddenly I saw the wake of a torpedo comning towai'd us, aind then the torpedo Itself. It was traveling, I estimate, about thir'ty five miles an hour. The tor'pedo, 'plainly visible about three feet be low the suirface was, I should say, aboult 12 feet long. "I rushed to the side of the ship, leanedl over the railing and looked to see it str'ike. I realized at once flhe aimt was perfect. My impressions as I analyze themt now, wvere most pectuliar. My ehtiefi thought was how beautifuil the deadly instrument was as it skimmed ,al6ng. "The torpedo was fired after' the ship had passed the submaine. It struck us at an oblique angle just bo l'iw wher'e I wvas standing, di'ectly ePp)osite the forwar'd funtnet. "My fir'st thought was that the funnel might fall ;to escape this jumpled to the shelter of the Marconi house. I had taken three stepis when the (deluge of water hurled up by the (expilosion knockedl tie downa and~ then there wans a rain of debris w.hich sceemed to hiavr bieen forced tup hrough the decks."1 Whlen the Califorcinla was tor'pedoed (.n Vebi'uar i' Ilast, whvle off thge rth coas;t of Ireland, with a loss of -1t persons. t wo of whom were cll drenu hor'n in Phf~ladphphi, the, bub-. i,1c4 in the wvake et then toriOdo wereC not leed by C.ant. ~IendersQJn i'tt bn0-!1 ALL FOWI THE LADIES. Fashion Hints From Gay Paree on the Screen at Idle Hour Theatre Monday Fashion hints from gay Pare and New York are found .in abundance in Lhe Vitggraph Blue 'Ribbon Feature, 'His lVfe's Good Name", which will be at the Idle Hour Theatre on Nlon Jay. The model for most of the attrac tive creations in this V-L-S-10 release Is Lucille Lce Stewart. Already is this young lady gaining the reputation or being one of the best dressed we inen upon lhe screen, and fairly,'too, for Miss Stewart wears any number 3f beautiful gowns in this feature film. In the first part of the story Miss Stewart is it little country girl and tere she must dress accordingly. Her rrock takes the form of a typical cotin try lass's dress. 31ade of a flowered Inuslin, tile waiste, which is short, is trimmed with narrow black velvet and fornis a strong contrast to the French models seen elsewhere in the produc [ion. An afternoon dress of navy blue taffeta is made with a Jacket effect, the ollars and cuffs of which are a sheer lawn with a bit of embroidery. The skirt is perfectly plain with a few omall pleats. The various scenes in the restau rants and cabarets offer many other )layers gowned in the latest creations. In fact thre is no end to the fashion Aints which this drama offers as the ;tory runs Its course. The latest things in hair ornaments, loslery aln( other accessories also Inds a conspicuous place in the story, vhich deals withi a country girl who 3mies to the-big city in order to be ome a prima donna. ildredina llr lieiedy Never Fails. Tro restore gray hiair to Its natural 2olor and beity. No matter how old ind faded your hair looks, or how long 'ot have been gray, it will work won lors for you, keep you looking young, om'otlioe a luxurianl growth of lealthy air, stop Its falli g out and positive ly relove dadru f. Will _110t soil skil or linen. \ ill not fiure Your mir. Is not a dy .. liefuse all su). t Itt .s; 50c a bottle it Lauriens DrI ug C 111 EE' We will send a large trial bot tie lilC10 by return m a11il, to mnyonte who sends this colupon to Mil I red L.ouise Co. Ilost.on, Mass., with heir namte and address and 10 cents 11 silver to pay postage. Trap Shooters Met. The icibers of tile Laurens Gun 'lub held their first outing last Wed iesday afternon at the trai)s on It. G. liranks' place. The club had as Its muests a number of the Greenwood !lub and the local shots and the vlsi ors had all enjoyable afternoon of looting. The Greenwood visitors present were j. 1. Ciipley, 10. 1. Arn ld, Paul .morris, Jerry Smathers, X,. FI. Williams, A. F. AlcKitsick, Dr. Pitt [an an(1 T. T. Todd. The Greenwood bisitors ex pressed themsls s1 be ng delighlted wIth the0 gun club's rtoun~ds aind eqinitent. .\tr. P. D). linff, soni of .\ir. and .\lrs. Aug. 1 luff, of thtis city, whlo is sittldy n~g law at thle Unti'rtsity of Flotidta, vasl ret'Oly1' ( seted to reipresenlt tile mtiversity at in itntercollieglate debate het weent tile Untiverty3 of Florida, I'l'niversity3 of S'outhli Cartoll ina and thte U'niversity of Trennessee. Thtere were Wtwety entr iants itn tile preliminary try'outt to select tile contestants an~l i. hluff w~as one of four' decided on by Ite judges. Tile debates will take place Apiril 23rd ad 26th. HELPFUL HAIR HINTS Wlorthy thie Attention of Eyeryone Wiho Wot 1 A void 'landru ,' Itching Nealp. 0r iy Hairs andi B duness. "Whtat wvil stop mity I IIr comng Dtlt?" Ilepli I: Parisian Sage is the best re(meidy for' hair d scalp trou ble' said to I 'event b' dness, grdyness lnnd dandruff "Ihefore go ig o bed, I always rubh Er little Paiiu Sage Into my scalp," says a woman whose luxurtliouts, soft mind fluffy hair is greatly admired. This stopls itchting scalp, keeps) tihe hair fr'otm fallng out and makes it eaay to [lrecss attraetively. Ileautiful sott, glossy, hlealthy3 htair for those wh'lo use Parisian Soge. You can get a bottle of this inexpensive Firenchl hair dIressling ft'om the Lau rons Drutg Co. and druggists every whierem, w ill guiaratitee oif satisfactiotn >r' money r'eftunded, fore tile vessel was struck. "FIre on thtat spot!" he called tht'ough thte spealdng tube to ithe :grewv manning thte 4,7-i rcht gutn liotunted after. The steam hip was mtuck before Ithe gttn coutld lie 'rained, however. "It seemed fair'ly to lift the ship ml (if the water," said (1ne of thte itrivivors. "M\any ot t he passengcers bnd crow wore thrown from ,their 'cot, and besides the five :killed in >lantly, mtoro thlan ai score were' In nsrd by flyingsrpulinters." A Few of H. Terry's New Spring Attractions Our store is now blooming in the many beautiful new Spring Colors. Each express brings something that needs only to be seen by the ladies to be esired. NlEW SPRING VOILES. lACE SPECIALS. The charming new Voiles for i lady's We are now displaying a. comPlete as spring dress are now being slio% n. They sortilnt of att'attive lacs, including are in all the new colors an designs pretty, nii'oW cdges and insei and in many combina tion s. i All in the modish colors and de signs. Nl-.CW\ SPRINUCQO. TS. NI'AV 1)IU~lN{4O IS " SPRING IrOS M1Y. I f you desire something reall3 I1.1 T :.' who appreciate beautiful ard atc 1111d t the samne time moderate i dee .- l e 'Ilne d l e Hosiery, will do (ll and)(] inspect our beauitifull line of popular prices. Ladies' Coats. Special in plaids and spriag line, in tie fancy stripes and at the newest shade('. Mustard, well to a ke an ispection o , opl new A -PEEP INTO THE FUTURE With the adlvent. of the New Year yon are wvell, strong, Vigorous, able to do a day's wori and1 to enijoy life. You have had a reasonable (legree of srcess nar so yo are now care-free. Youi have little worry oA What lext week or ionth may bring forth. Do You Know ThatIMMM Nitiyt. -five per cii I ol" the m1enl who cilgage inl bi.siless event uwhly -api ? The estate you 'UP bulilding up for- yourl famnily i~an't Melt like the snowM in tile 8spr SIn? NotIi lig is; leillailellt iln pr'ivate foil liQ or ilh private b si ess. If ydl really want to insure tile ('011) oit orf your Co mi i youl mu1st d10 it thIirough lprottii 101 'rred ill sonmc est ablished oprin line, inu e thefacy trpesan a This Is An Old St ymm 'n Ith the beent ofnd tht life is uncertain w le only way to lay safe is to be rotecter. Y aohlssness s the greate eause for Mlac protetion as iost men really beliebre inn fro teet ion./ Your Own- Insuanc olicy is one of te best ithim n e agaist earelessness. Tbi I i to rI, your to t a y me of ptect in whe yrn sun get ,. Nothing f i s maet inihyipo k privt e otnsi e or inprvtebsi(s.1 you(til o(0efly n eallyoI wat to insur shel clofortoke ,vofnoi youe m usoi hog rtcin re nsm salse Fo lnisrae MisouranyieInu.neCo pn 3len haeiI1 be wane uhtld is unestatingl, only waytollaysf st epoetd Caelsses i*te ret (lone for slak evoe in ah mOt mndraly belning eve 2inpro 1*neoth besecitin 11mnt r moainst carsss. VP.Ceradadnwbokthogthsile This* is to ur yo to takeou bdvataean o roterio whrive, yofuh ay, oget i dah ..B M l ommyissuesl oerdeda ne oe bes t Rapholicies eanse it osountl, whifea ane ho t clai nar' Cedar roe euly buary y idrGov ehouisbe oneiteredokdeyo ough omnituly anvdstoiany whaoI motsan d h'er boyu lid tohes way ~ ofretind ors Mvedes Rginst wat tfhen bervdinesshfartlske eiayu heuetr alo brutakery m them.g fCme. aiy h a hogto ~sdai te servies da o hrlieeil anoaswe Hng beseeb tenae f h Lrd" shock t o he iniu reild tr ough evtlehirwntoteu(15vorfedle vskonthogu yer.is d btea Cokerdiedlat hse hewe in ovrter retls.ii iadakndh rclm ,lya nerCdrGoeu churhibrar Our bea mon thirten e boyldt rest- hers haywtirifnoii elwan a ayl wiae a greatfu ag o ra ( tribute h er-s ii et 11)~~~lfo l trluc fcaati v h wr sping r grae. ofv J.01 P.ae~l Colmanh i ae e uov a awy e~ orsou oal lo wiponil 01 le hr batr, itcondsurUo h 1Ot1al ihan el al itedbe uheey le ~ sHera aidath oes ut onexpected, ye th ald Cm oe loiTm aiyhs01'(CIetH1 Ithe announcgemegnt taued a lledgrfial0tpth nthu shock o her any frendietrough out he ounry.She'wa inher26t