On April 22, 1917, a decoy ship known as “Q22,” a small sailing vessel with auxiliary power, armed with two 12-pounder guns, and commanded by Lieutenant Irvine, R.N.R., while in a position about fifty miles south of Kinsale Head, sighted a submarine on the surface which opened fire immediately at a range of about 4,000 yards.  The fire was accurate and the decoy ship was hit frequently, two men being killed and four wounded in a few minutes and the vessel considerably damaged.  As further concealment appeared useless the guns were then unmasked and the fire returned with apparently good results, several hits being claimed.  The enemy’s fire then fell off in accuracy and she increased the range, and after about one and a half hours’ fighting the light became too bad to continue the action.  It was thought that the submarine was sunk, but there was no positive evidence of sinking.

On April 30, 1917, a decoy ship—­H.M.S. Prize—­a small schooner with auxiliary power, armed with two 12-pounder guns and commanded by Lieutenant W.E.  Sanders, R.N.R., a New Zealand officer, sighted, when in position Lat. 49.44 N., Long. 11.42 W., a submarine about two miles away on the port beam at 8.30 P.M.  At 8.45 P.M. the submarine opened fire on the Prize and the “abandon ship” party left in a small boat.  The submarine gradually approached, continuing to pour in a heavy fire and making two hits on the Prize which put the motor out of action, wrecked the wireless office, and caused much internal damage besides letting a great deal of water into the ship.

The crew of the Prize remained quietly hidden at their concealed guns throughout this punishment, which continued for forty minutes as the submarine closed, coming up from right astern, a position no doubt which she considered one of safety.  When close to she sheered off and passed to the port beam at a distance of about one hundred yards.  At this moment Lieutenant Sanders gave the order for “action.”  The guns were exposed and a devastating fire opened at point blank range, but not before the submarine had fired both her guns, obtaining two more hits, and wounding several of the crew of the Prize.  The first shell fired from the Prize hit the foremost gun of the submarine and blew it overboard, and a later shot knocked away the conning tower.  The submarine went ahead and the Prize tried to follow, but the damage to her motor prevented much movement.  The firing continued as the submarine moved away, and after an interval she appeared to be on fire and to sink.  This occurred shortly after 9.0 P.M., when it was nearly dark.  The Prize sent her boats to pick up survivors, three being taken out of the water, including the commander and one other officer.  The prisoners on coming on board expressed their willingness to assist in taking the Prize into port.  It did not at this time seem likely that she would long remain afloat, but