“On to the old course” means merely that the U-boat makes off.
Then the next page of that document contains an extract from the report of the chief engineer of the Sheaf Mead. The relevant paragraphs are the first and the last:
“When I came to the surface I found myself on the port side, that is, nearest to the submarine, which was only about 5 yards away. The submarine captain asked the steward the name of the ship, which he told him, and the enemy picked up one of our lifebuoys, but this had the name Greatafield on it, as this was the name of our ship before it was changed to Sheaf Mead last January.”
In the last paragraph:
“She had cut-away bows, but I did notice a net-cutter. Two men stood at the side with boat-hooks to keep us off.
“They cruised around for half an hour, taking photographs of us in the water. Otherwise they just watched us, but said nothing. Then she submerged and went off, without offering us any assistance whatever.”
THE PRESIDENT: Is there any suggestion in the German report that any warning was given?
COL. PHILLIMORE: No, My Lord. It is quite clear, indeed, that it was not.
Under the time 1414 there is a description of the sighting of the ship and the difficulty in identifying; and then at the top of the page: