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Show TELLS STORY OF THE SINKING OF VILLE DE LILLE CHERBOURG, Feb. 20, via Par'.s, 2 a. m. The story of the sinking of the French steamer Ville de U1t by n firman fir-man submarine off the Barfleur lighthouse, light-house, east of Cherbourg, wa tola night bv the boatswain of the vessel, which was sent to the bottom Tuesday. The submarine which sunk it, he said, was the L"-16, which pursued the Ville de Lille some distanco ami maneuvered in such a way as to prevent her escape. Then the Germans hoisted the signal, "Stop or we fire on you," after which the steamer stopped and the submarine came alongside. "I will give you ten minutes to leave the ship," said the German commnndor The crew complied with the order and took to the boats, pulling toward Barfleur. Bar-fleur. Meanwhile, two men from the submarine subma-rine went aboard the steamer and p'.aced two bombs, one in the captain's room and the other in the forecastle. Ten minutes min-utes later there were two explosions and the ship began to sink, stern first. The captain and crew wept as they saw their ship go down. Aft'T the bombs had bem placed aboard the Ville de Lille, the submarine stopped I a Dut-h ship, which was allowed to pro-I pro-I ceed after the Germans satisfied themselves them-selves there was no contral'and aboard. The submarine then returned to the ViP.e-de Lille's boats, whan it was seen what desperate efforts the tailors were making to row to the eoa.si, and took them in tow until the Marficur light was In sight. The captain of the steamer did not have time to dress fully before he l-ft his ship and Injurr-d his hin in clambering clamber-ing into the boat. The r'unn commander, com-mander, observing tli1 -a plain's Injury, took him aboard the submarine and gae him firnt-aid 'treatment. The Germans al.-o supplied the master of the etramr with a fine pa lr of f-f-a boots, as he had been compelled to leave his own behind. |