Submarine Work (1915)

Disgrifiad

Dyddiad: 16 Rhagfyr 1915

Trawsysgrif:

Submarine Work

A thrilling story of the exploits of a submarine in the Baltic has reached Haverfordwest from Lieut.- Commander Cromie, who commands the boat.

Lieut.-Commander Cromie, who has been personally decorated by the Czar with the Cross of St. George, is a son of Mrs. Cromie, formerly of Haverfordwest, and grandson of the late Mr. T. Ince Webb-Bowen, formerly chief constable of Pembrokeshire. He was educated at the Haverfordwest Grammar School. His boat has helped to clear the Germans off the face of the Baltic, her "bag," so far, consisting of the cruiser Undine and some ten merchant ships destroyed.

Lieut.-Commander Cromie's treatment of his prisoners led them to cheer him from their boats whilst their ship sank.

In a letter to his mother Lieut.-Commander Cromie states: "On Wednesday the Czar came to inspect the fortifications and the submarines. I had a very pleasant surprise in being decorated by him with the St. George's Cross, and five men of my crew got the silver cross. So we have not done so badly in our two months out here. We did another 1,500 miles this last trip. I went to bed for the first two days out with 'flue,' and so directed operations from my bunk. We met a German submarine, and had to dive in a hurry, and found ourselves down at 140ft. before I could get out of bed to take charge. The third day we found a lot of wood outside neutral waters, and after a short chase we made a lovely bonfire, being unable to sink the stuff. The 'inhabitants' left hurriedly, leaving a small puppy dog, which we rescued. Its father was a Great Dane and its mother a pug, but considering it is a 'Hun' it is not half bad, and is a great favourite.

"Nothing travels by daylight since our last raid on the 'hen run,' so my special haunt was very dull, and I gave it up after four days, and tried another spot, where I knew train ferries must pass. We had an exciting chase, but it was spoilt by two destroyers and a cruiser turning up. Guessing that they would come back again, I lay low, and sure enough I caught the Undine in the afternoon. The first shot stopped her and put her on fire, but she was not going down quickly enough, so, avoiding the destroyer that was after us, I dived under the Undine's stern, and gave her another from the other side. It was a very fine sight, and made one feel that one did not care a —— for the destroyers firing at one all the time. . . . We arrived in covered with ice, of which I will send a photo.

"The Emperor was very polite and nice, and said our work in the —— had made all the difference to the country. The little boy was very nice, but rather naughty. I gave him some photos of ships sinking, which pleased him, and he has promised to send me some he took of us. In the evening we 'dined with all the Kings and Princes,' &c., in the train, which was a palatial affair. We sat down 28 at one table, and still left room for waiting. Nearly all spoke English, and said all sorts of nice, polite things, and I sneaked a menu card as a souvenir, but had not the cheek to ask for signatures.

"Being a chevalier of St. George, I am pretty safe, as no one can arrest me without an armed escort and a band to take me to prison. I think I told you that the other cross gave me the right to go into girls' schools and taste the food and express my opinion! I only hope now that we shall not be at sea on November 25th (St. George's Night), when all members of the Order dine in the palace and take the plate home with them as souvenirs! To-day I have had to look after an English admiral, whom I find was out in China with me, so we have hit it off very well. . . .

"It was a very hard frost during the Emperor's inspection, and all were very much surprised to see us without greatcoats, but the cold is so dry here that one does not feel it so long as one moves about. The place is lovely under snow, and sledging is very pleasant with all the bells going. Unfortunately, it has now all gone, and is raining hard."

In conclusion, Lieut.-Commander Cromie asks for a pair of hand warmers, with a good supply of fuel—the little cloth-covered tins to go in one' s pocket with burning charcoal inside.


Ffynhonnell:
'Submarine Work.' The Amman Valley Chronicle and East Carmarthen News. 16 Rhag. 1915. 6.