January 18, 1918 - More stories about German submarines

Don Martin diary entry for Friday, January 18, 1918:
Went to luncheon of American Luncheon Club with Russell. Then to office. Nothing much to do. Mr. Miller of United Press called for me and we went to dinner at Simpson’s. Went to office in the rain. At 12:30 at hotel met American sailors from S. I. [Nau Mark] who told me how they were fired at by submarine. Dictated cable and wrote story for Paris. War news quiet. Submarine sinkings low after 2 very bad weeks. Food situation here getting bad. Allies are worried about the threatened spring drive of Germany. Whole issue rests upon the submarines – whether the Allies can overcome it either by building enough new ships or destroying the subs.

Weather sloppy but warm

A story cabled to New York about a submarine attack, written on January 18, was published in the New York Herald on Saturday, January 19, 1918.

American Line Steamship Attacked by Four U-Boats, Her Guns Drive Them Off

Big Passenger Vessel Pursued by Squadron of Submarines—Shots are Fired at the Attackers and Hits Are Believed To Have Been Scored—Great Excitement Aboard

[Special Cable to the Herald via Commercial Cable Company’s System]

Herald Bureau, No. 130 Fleet Street, London, Friday

An American line steamship reaching England to-day had a startling experience with submarines

She almost overran one on a foggy night. This submarine and later submarines were seen on each side of the steamship.

Shots were fired by the vessel’s guns and a fourth submarine was seen a few hours later, when more shots were fired from the steamship.

It is believed that some of the shots scored a hit.

Destroyers chased the submarines and great excitement constantly prevailed aboard the steamship while the U-boats were threatening her.

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