The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1912-02-22
CaURT MARTIAL OF
ENSIGN SAUFLEY
He Refused TO Take the Torpedo
Boat BiddIe TO Sea.
VESSEL is KNOWN AS TUB"

Naval Constructor Says Not Single
Boat of That Class Is In Condition to
Stand Rough Weather - Danger to
Men on Unseaworthy Craft.
The torpedo boat Blddle. the tub
Of the torpedo boat fotilIa, is RESPONSE
bic for the court martial of Ensign
Richard G. Saufey on charges of dis
obedience of orders and for not re-
porting to his ship. According to the
charges preferred against Saufiey. the
latter was ordered to proceed to sea
at night with the Biddle. Ensign
Saufey called up Commander Patton.
cOmmandant of the Norfolk navy yard,
on the telephone and informed him
that his vessel was not fit for sea
duty; that it was unserviceable and
dangerous.
According to Ensign Saufiey, he was
ordered to take the Biddle from the
Norfolk yard to Cape Henry with sup
plies for wrecked collier. He did so
after he had reported the Biddle unfit
for sea duty. He returned from Cape
Henry and no sooner tied up than he
was ordered to again go to the capes.
1t was nearly night, and he called up
Commander Patton and informed him
that the ship was in such a bad con-
dition he did not care to take the re-
sponsibility of risking the lives of his
crew. He said he did not fear for
himself.
Refused to Go to Sea.
Commander Patton refused to take
the responsibility of sending Ensign
Sau1ey out. He did offer the services
of pilot Saufley refused the latter
and also refused to go out. The latter
refusal is the basis Of the charges of
disobedience of orders. One of the
specifications is that he was personally
afraid
Officers of the navy department say
that Ensign Saufey was justified in
refusing to go to sea in an unsea- |
worthy boat, but they held that he |
should have notified the commandant |
of the Norfolk yard sooner than he did |
of the condition of his vessel.
mot a single torpedo boat in the |
navy is in condition to go to sea and |
stand all kinds of rough weather." was
the statement of one Of the naval con-
structors who said that Saufiey ought
TO be commended for refusing to go to
sea at night in the tub"
In the last year nearly every torpedo
boat of the navy has met with a mis-
hap while at sea. During the assem-
bling of the feet at New York last No
vember three of the torpedo boats
came very near being lost with all
aboard off Cape Hatteras. They never
did reach the maneuvers.
Others In Bad Condition.
Most of these vessels are described
oy naval officers as Tin cans" and IN
it for sea duty. But a few months
ago the Stringham while at sea lost
both her masts. one funnel and had !
several seams in her hull opened. She
vas in command of an ensign who, |
when he saw the condition of the yes
el. called for full steam ahead. He
managed TO get into Hampton Roads
md to the Norfolk yard without fur
her miShap. 1t took several months ,
o repair the vessel.
1t is because these vessels are in bad
that most Of them are in the ,
eserve fleet at Charleston. The de- !,
troyers have taken their place so far !.
S fighting strength is concerned. !
Both the torpedo boats and destroy
rs are built for speed. The thickest :
art of their hulls' protection is less =
IAN one-eighth of an inch. 1t is of :
beet steel and is easily punctured. 1t .
this thin sheet of steel which is be- :,
yeen the crew of the vessels and the :,
aep sea. or, as the officers term it.
lfety and death