Universal Weekly (1914-1915)

THE UNIVERSAL WEEKLY 31 Dying Sailors Fight for Life in Submarine X the four months of the great European war submarines already have played an important part. Naval experts, before the outbreak of hostilities, were undecided as to the value of under water craft, but Gerwith her successful attacks upon cruisers, soon showed that these successive hours unr cruisers, and even a many, British little submarine engines of war are more to be feared than even the greatest superdreadnoughts. Recently a British submarine made its way under five rows of mines in the Dardanelles and sank a Turkish war vessel with ridiculous ease, remaining for nine der water to effect its purpose. English dreadnought, have been blown up in the most mysterious manner, and despite the attempts to attribute their destruction to mines and spontaneous combustion in the magazines of the vessels, there are many shrewd naval critics who unhesitatingly declare that submarines have been responsible for the losses of the British navy. The United States, profiting by the lessons of the war, has ordered the construction of under-water war vessels which, when completed, will be twice the size of any submarines now used by any foreign navy. These submarines will be able to travel across the Atlantic, and with the aid of Thomas Alva Edison's electrie apparatus for renewing the air in the submerged vessels, Uncle Sam will be able to cope with any dreadnoughts sent to his shores from Europe or Asia. In "The Submarine Spy" the United States Government loaned the Imp company a submarine without restrictions. Several officers and many sailors actually operated the mechanism of the vessel before the camera lens and the sinking and rescue of the crew in the open sea are shown with great fidelity to detail. There is no "faking" in "The Submarine Spy". The submarine is the real thing, and every bit of the action was staged with Uncle Sam standing sponsor for the accuracy of the stage setting. Interior views of the submarine are followed by above-water glimpses of the vessel coursing along with only her periscope visible. Again the spectator is shown how the vessel, under actual war conditions, is quickly submerged until not even the top of the periscope is shown. Best of all, however, Uncle Sam permitted one of these powerful little craft to be dragged to the surface by divers and a wrecking crew equipped with a powerful windlass. The final action of the rescue scene of the thrilling under-and abovewater drama takes place on the deck of the craft as it slowly " The Submarine Spy ", two-reel naval drama, played by Imp actors and actresses, a timely release in view of the part submarines are now taking in the great European war. Dying for want of air at the bottom of the sea, sailors heroically wait for rescuers. Released Monday, December 28. Captain Graham Discovers the Loss of the Life-O-icing Emergency Valve. pokes it sharp beak up from the ocean depths. Here is the story told on the film: Ethel Graham and Billy, a young naval ensign, are in love, but Ethel's father, a captain in the navy, tells Billy that before he can many he must obtain promotion. Bardoni, a foreign spy, learns that Ethel's father is to take out a new submarine for its trial under water. Bardoni asks permission of Billy to visit the submarine before her try-out. While examining the mechanism of the ship Billy points out to Bardoni an emergency valve, upon which the lives of all depend. Bardoni secretly removes the valve. A few minutes after Bardoni has left Captain Graham and his crew start off in the submarine. When they have submerged her a sailor reports: "Captain, something's wrong with the machinery! She's sinking too fast" ! Captain Graham discovers, when the ship touches bottom, that the emergency valve has been stolen. All hope is given up. Billy, however, volunteers to be shot through the torpedo tube and to go for aid. Shot to the surface by compressed air, Billy brings back a boatload of sailors, a windlass and a diver. In the submarine Captain Graham and his men are fast dying for want of air. Billy, however, lowers a diver, who taps on the sides of the submarine with a hammer and revives the hopes of the crew and their captain. The sailors inside the submerged submarine excitedly watch the dial which records the depths reached by the ship. As the sailors up above man the windlass and the chains are attached around the submarine the indicator on the dial steadily falls. The crew cheer when they realize that they are fast being pulled to the surface of the ocean. After long and hard work the submarine finally rises to the surface of the sea, and the sailors, one by one, follow their captain up out of the interior to the fresh air. Upon reaching shore the sailors pick Billie up enthusiastically and carry him off. Because of his daring exploit, Captain Graham recommends Billy for promotion. Meanwhile, Billie's engagement is announced. Bardoni is snubbed by Ethel, who when she learns of the theft of the emergency valve, at once suspects the foreign spy. Bardoni, acting upon several strong hints, hurriedly leaves the naval station for more comfortable parts. In due \ time Billie's promotion comes along, and he and Ethel are married.