The Enemy Surfaces

Well we sailed between Australia, New Zealand, and the Middle East. We used to train the troops in (inaudible). And we went occasionally through, through the canal and into, up to Palestina, Palestine. And going through the Suez Canal once, we just came out, I was on the boat, I was on the bridge. And I looked down and there was this submarine just coming up.

Interviewer: A U-boat?

A U-boat. And, well I think he was just as surprised as I was. So I called the captain and by the time they came up the submarine was pretty well gone, you know. And I put the Vilardo to, to starboard and get away from it. So it was pretty close call, but I don't think he actually intended to torpedo us, because he was so close to us, it was only about 20 feet I think you know, you can almost touch him, if my arm was long enough. And he dived and took off and we continued to Palestina.