The first officer lost was Lieutenant Clarence C. Thomas, of Grass Valley, California, commander of the armed guard on the _Vacuum_, who, with four of his men, perished after the sinking of that steamer on April 28th. The _Mongolia_ was first to report a "hit" against a submarine, April 19th, Lieutenant Bruce Ware stating that a shell from his guns struck the U-boat's conning-tower, knocking off part of the shell-plating, a cloud of smoke covering the spot where the "sub" disappeared. Not long afterward a cablegram was received from Paris announcing that an American armed vessel had sunk a submarine in the Mediterranean. The ship was the _Silver Shell_, and the encounter, which occurred off the Balearic Islands, was thus reported by Chief Turret Captain William J. Clark: May 30, at 5:35 p. m., a submarine was sighted off starboard beam, flying no flag or marks of identification. Manned and loaded both guns. Hoisted colors and waited about 10 minutes. Fired after-gun with sights set at 4,000 yards, scale 49, and fired purposely short to see what the submarine would do, as she was closing in on the _Silver Shell_. At the same instant of our flash, the submarine fired a shot, the shell dropping 100 yards short amidships. The ship was swung to port to bring the submarine astern. Twenty-five rounds were fired at the submarine, the last two of which appeared to be hits. As the last shot landed the submarine's bow raised up and went down suddenly. The crew of the submarine, who were on deck, did not have time to get inside, so it is believed there is not much doubt about her being hit. The submarine fired in all 32 rounds, the last four of which were shrapnel and exploded overhead. The master of the _Silver Shell_, John Charlton, was convinced that the submarine was destroyed, and in his report said: "One shot struck the submarine flush, hitting the ammunition on the deck. There was a flash of flame, and within a minute she had disappeared." Captain John R. Edie, U. S. N. (retired), the naval representative who investigated the matter and heard all the evidence, made a report, dated Toulon, June 3, in which he said: "There is no doubt in my mind but that the submarine was sunk." The combats of the _Campana_, _Luckenbach_, _Nyanza_, _Chincha_, _Borinquen_, _Norlina_, _Moreni_ and a score of others are among the thrilling incidents of the war. These armed guards of 16 to 32 men, usually under command of a chief petty officer, served on practically every American merchant vessel that plied the war zone, and made a record for bravery and efficiency which would be difficult to excel.