Oracle took part in high-speed North Sea sweeps during 1917, when submarines and drifting mines were persistent concerns. In August, while patrolling with light cruisers, she spotted a vessel that proved to be U-44 using a sail as a disguise. The submarine attempted to dive, surfaced again and tried to escape underwater. Oracle's gunfire missed, but the destroyer closed and rammed between the conning tower and stern, in the area containing the engines and crew quarters. U-44 sank without survivors.
Chapter · 22:56-24:17
Oracle rams a submarine disguised with a sail
Oracle's encounter with U-44 shows how a submarine hunt could end in a close-range ramming attack.