The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-12-29
DANIELS GIVES DETAILS
OF DESTRoYER'S CAPTURE
OF SUBMARINE CREW


The United States destroyer Fam
ming, aided by the United States de-
stroyer Nicholson, was officially
credited today with capture of the
first German submarine prisoners.
The event occurred in November.
Cable reports gave only scant news OF
the capture. The Tanning was CON-
manded by Lieut.. A. S. Carpenter.
Lieut.. G. H. Fort being the executive
| officer.
About 4:10 D. m. while escorting q
convoy, the lookout OF the Tanning,
Coxswain David D. Loomis, sighted
a small periscope about a foot above
water some distance off the port bow.
The periscope was visible for only q
few seconds. The destroyer immedi-
ately headed for the spot and three
minutes after the periscope had been
sighted dropped a depth charge. The
Nicholson also speeded to the position
OF the submarine, which appeared to
be headed toward a merchant vessel
in the convoy, and dropped another
depth charge. At that moment the
coming tower OF the U-boat came
to the surface between the Nicholson
and the convoy. The Nicholson fired
three shots from her stern gun. The
bow. of the submarine came up rapid
ly. She was down by the stern, but
righted herself and seemed to in
crease her speed. As the Nicholson
cleared, the Tanning headed for the
U-boat, firing from the bow gun.
After the third shot the crew of the
submarine all came on deck and held
up their hands, the submarine sur
rendering at 4:2s p. m.
Submarine siuks
The Tanning approached the sub
marine to pick up the prisoners. both
destroyers keeping their batteries
trained on the boat In few min
utes she sank, and the crew of the
U-boat jumped into the water and
swan to the Tanning.
Although the crew all wore life
-preservers, a number Of them were
exhausted when they reached the side
of the destroyer. AS the submarine
sank five or six men were caught by
the radio aerial and carried below the
surface before they disentangled
themselves. Ten of the men were so
weak that lines had TO be passed I'M
der their arms 10 haul them aboard
One man was in such a condition that
he could not even hold the limo
thrown him. Chief Pharmacists Mate
Elzer Harwell and Coxswain Francis
C. Connor IN. n. w jumped over
board after this man and secured a
line under his arms. When he was
hauled aboard every effort was made
to resuscitate him. but he died in a
few minutes. The four officers of
the submarine and the thirty-hve
members OF the crew were all taken
prisoners.
Ill al ~
prisoners were given hot coffee and
sandwiches. Though kept under
strict guard, they seemed contented,
and after a short time commenced to
sing. To make them comfortable the
crew of the destroyer gave them
their warm coats and heavy clothing.
The German officers said the first
depth charge had wrecked the ma
chinery of the submarine. and caused
her to sink to a considerable depth.
The submarine bore no number nor
distinguishing marks. She was iden-
titled by life belts and by statements
OF an officer and men Of the crew.
One OF the life belts had Kaiser
marked on one side and Colt" on the
other.
The Tanning proceeded to port and
transferred her prisoners under
guard. As they were leaving in
small boats, the Germans gave three
cheers. The commanding officer of
the Tanning read the burial service
over the body of the dead German
sailor. and the destroyer proceed to
sea and buried him with full military
honors.
Destroyer Crew Praised.
The commander of the Tanning re-
ports that the conduct OF all his Of
ticers and crew was excellent He
gives particular credit to the officer
OF the deck, Lieut.. Walter o. Henry,
to the CoNswain LoomIs, who sighted
the periscope, and highly cOmmends
Chief Pharmacists Mate Harwell and
Coxswin Connor, who jumped over
board to save the drowning German
The British commander in chief,
under whom the destroyers were ope-
rating. in report to the British ad-
miralty, said: 1.-THE whole affair re-
fleets credit on the discipline and
training of the United States fotilla,"