Almost all naval history buffs are aware of the sinking of the LACONIA in World War II by U-156 under Hartenstein - an event whose ripples affected the submarine activities thereafter. But, thanks to COL. WILHELM HÖHN (789-C-1988), we read of another LACONIA Incident - many years earlier. BILL writes:

"The Imperial German Government announced in January of 1917, a policy of unrestricted submarine warfare in the North Atlantic. This was in response to America's continued violation of its neutrality, and clandestine assistance to England. Germany threatened to 'sink without warning' any ship that entered a 'war zone' near Allied Atlantic coasts. This intention was placed in an advertisement in U.S. newspapers, yet it was ignored as an empty threat.

Among the many ships that ignored the German ultimatum was the British CUNARD liner LACONIA, which departed from New York on 17 February, 1917. The ship's manifest stated that she carried a cargo of 'cotton and raw materials'. In fact, she was loaded with munitions for the Allied armies.

LACONIA had a crew of 216 men, she also carried seventy three passengers who were unaware of the cargo carried, but knew of the dangers involved. During the voyage, the ship's position was kept secret from the passengers, even as it entered the war zone.

It was a typical winter's Sunday night, at about 2200 hours, a day from scheduled landing at Liverpool, when the ship suddenly lurched with a muffled noise like a large door slamming. Then came five blasts from the ship's horn - a signal to abandon, followed by an aerial flare. The ship rapidly tilted to starboard as lifeboats were lowered; it was only then that the occupants were informed that LACONIA was loaded with explosives, which could ignite at any time.

As the lifeboats moved away, a second torpedo hit LACONIA with a dull thud followed by flames and a rapid settling at the stern. Fortunately for the survivors, she quickly sank silently.

The U-Boat approached a lifeboat containing the Chief Steward, who was questioned as the ship's identity, cargo and manifest. The Steward replied that she carried seventy-three men, women and children and carried 'general cargo'.

The unidentified U-Boat officer told them they would soon be picked up, and the boat quietly pulled away. Six hours later, the survivors were rescued by a British minesweeper. Two American citizens, a mother and daughter, were among those who died when LACONIA went down.

A few weeks later, U-Boats torpedoes three American merchant ships in the 'Forbidden Zone'. In retaliation, the U.S. declared war against Germany on 6 April, 1917."

Thanks for the article BILL. Remember writers - if YOU have an article you want published, please send it here. just remember, it must be ACCURATE!