New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-27
Risks Ship in Rescue.


skipper did not heed the possibility
that he, too, in turn might be de-
stroyed (for he was entirely I'M
armed, but was prompted by the
desire to save life. The crew were
all transferred to his vessel and
brought into port.
Meanwhile the patrols continued
to search the neighborhood for the
enemy, and, although unsuccessful in
discovering and destroying them,
they nevertheless efcctually stopped
further depredations, and thereby
rendered invaluable service to the
crowd of shipping which continually
passes up and down these main
routes.
Heavy Losses in Storm.
The approach of the patrols had
undoubtedly prevented the enemy
from finishing off their prey; for
eighteen hours afterward the Van
Stirum, still ahoat, was observed by
2 patrol vessel with a heavy list to
starboard. Her boats falls were
hanging cupboard, all boats had been
washed away and the vessel was
waterlogged. 1t seemed impossible
that she could have lived in the
weather then prevailing, which had
grown suddenly worse and developed
into gale during the night. This
bad weather continued for days af-
terward, and reached its height on
December 27, when the vessels on
patrol suffered very severe damage.
The force Of this gale can be i'm
agined when it is stated that over
sixty patrol vessels suffered damage
and two were lost with all hands.
Forever on ceaseless watch, ready at
all times. to render protection to
peaceful merchantmen sailing the
high seas and to attack the enemy at
sight, these small craft have kept
the sea in calm and storm and shown
their supreme value as . fighting
unit of the British navy. During
this gale an incredible number of
ships were lost, and the loss of life
was appalling. Vessels were cast
high and dry on the shore consld-
cradle distance inland. Others were
hurled and smashed on the rocks.
Christmas Dinner on Derelict.
The story of the attempt to save
the Van Stirum and bring her into
port is characteristic of the pluck,
pertinacity and endurance of the
auxiliary crew. On the morning OF
december % one of the patrol YES
sells which had discovered the Van
Stirum lowered boat with four
hands in order to pass hawser on
board and tow her into port. The
undertaking was fraught with the
greatest danger. Enormous seas
were breaking over the vessel and
she was lurching heavily. Nothing
dauntcd, these four men pulled to
the derehct and clambered on board.
No sooner had the last man hauled
himself up on one Of the swinging
boats falls than their little boat was
smashed to pieces against the ships
side and Immediately sunk. A wild
picture met their gaze when they
were able to look round. The vessel
had been torpedoed abreast of the
engine room. The engines had been
blown by the force of the explosion
to the starboard side of the vessel.
Engine room and stokehold were
full of water. The chart office on
the bridge was then explored. Here
everything was found intact-a
strange contrast with the desolation
outside. There was a chart on the
table marked off to a position at
which the vessel should have arrived
at noon on the previous day. A still
stranger sight met them on entering
the saloon. The tables had all been
laid for the Christmas dinner which
was never eaten.
Struggle to Save Vessel.
The little party of four then set
to work in earnest and successfully
passed a 5-inch hawser from the port
bow to the attendant trawler; but, as
the derelict's steering gear had been
jammed she became uncomfortable.
Another trawler then closed on
the derelict and successfully man.
aged to take wire and keep her in
position while the first trawler
lowed. Shortly afterward the wire