Hello

I was just researching UC 18, Wilhelm Kiel, which was sunk by gunfire from the Q-ship Lady Olive off St Malo on the morning of 19 February 1917. The following is a much-abbreviated story of one account:

After receiving cannon fire which wrecked her engine room, Lady Olive was ordered to abandon ship by UC 18. Seaman William Dumaresq sighted the u-boat directly in line with his gun and chanced eight shots which all hit the hull and conning tower at 100 yards. UC 18 sank with all hands. Lady Olive sank later that morning, but its crew in three boats and two rafts were stalked unknowingly over night by a second u-boat. The French destroyer Dunois rescued part of the crew of Lady Olive the following day after a cat and mouse game and ramming of the second u-boat, 'the port propeller guard crashing against the boat so that it ripped out the latter’s starboard side’. Dumaresq was awarded the DSM (Chatterton, Q-Ships), pp. 104-8.

Now, I wonder, which was the second u-boat? No boat seems to be unaccounted for at this time. Perhaps the second boat wasn't as badly damaged as it seems. Or, could it be that the Lady Olive didn't sink UC 18, but it was sunk the next day by the Dunois?

Best wishes
Chris