The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-10-23
Destroyer, Although Struck.
Continued Hunt for Enemy
and Forced Him to Submergo
REMAINED AT POST
UNTIL DULY RELIEVED
Commander, Other Officers
and Crew Cited for Heroisn
in Admiral Sims Dispatch.
British Praised

washington, Oct. ~ .--Anarica's
naval annals were EN- .ehsi odav'
a new story OF daring. fer,isr
devotion. 1t was the ST III" OF y
commander and crew of the =. g.
stroyer Cassin. the vessel DANA sed by
a submarines torpedo several days
ago and later towed TO port.
The full report from Viee-Admlrai
Sims, commanding the American fleet
day. 1t tells how the Cassin, tor
pedoed by an unlucky freak of tina
sea. searched the waters for her ems
envy for hours after she was wound I'd
and disabled: sighted that enemy
once and sent four shells whistiing SO
close that only by n rapid dip did the
C-boat escape, and finally with one
engine out of commission. stuck to
her post of duty until relieved BY
other destroyers. Vice Admiral Sims
sent warm words Of praise for the
| Cassins captain. Commander w. ~
Vernon, his officers and twenty-five
| of the crew. The conduct OF the Of
| ffcers. Admiral Sims reports, was "ad.
u.irahIe,.i- the TWENTY-FIVE men were
cited "for showing GOODNESS and quail
| tiles of leadership"
| Story Crisply Told.
Here Is the whole story, told in tho
crisp official language of a navy de-
partment statement:
Nv The destroyer reccntlv mentioned
in DISPATCHES rrade public. as @heir@s
! injured ny torpedo. wa the Z. S. s.
! Cassin. commanded by Commander w.
y. Vernon; executive officer. Ideuten-
ant J. w Maclaren: Junior officers.
Lieutenan.s ]. A. Saunder T.. r. Agrel.
and r. NJ. Parkinson. and Assistant
Surgeon d w. Queen.
While this vessel was on her pa
troll station a submarine was sighted
on the surface Mt about Ave miles dts
lance. The Casssn Immediately pro-
ceadeF at full So ,ets towards she ssiFr-s
marine with her crew at their battle
stations.
"She searched the area for about
thirty minutes. tagging back and
! forth. when the commanding officer.
Commander Vernon sighted a torpedo
running at hich speed near the sur
face about 400 yards away. headed to
strike the CasSsn amidships.
/ "Realztne the situation, the COM
ma.nding officer rang for emergency
full speed ahead on both engines, put
the rudder hard over. and was Just
clear OF the torpedos course. when 1t
preached on the surface, turned Sharp
" towards the vessel and struck tho
stern of the Cassfn.
One Engine Disabled.
Fortunately only one engine was
disabled. thereby permitting the de-
stroyer to remain under wa.v, circllr1
In search OF the submarine. After
about an hour the subna rtne exposed
Its coming tower long enough for
the Cassin to FIRE four shots, Two Of
the shots fell SO close to the subrna-
rine that it was forced to submerKe
immediately and was not again seen.
The Cassin continued to search until
dark when. having been Joined by
other British and American patrol
vessels, she was taken safely into
port.
! .'vice-Admiral Sims states that the
behavior OF the officers and the crew
was admirable. There was no excite
meilt on board, the men remaining
lquietiy at their ba title stations through
out the night except when called to
other duties, He commends the Brit
ish navy for prompt and efficient a.
sistance endered the Cassin.
Admiral Sims gives especial credit
20 Commander Vernon for his vigil
ance and prompt action which prob
ably saved the Cassin from total lose.
He clso commends Lteutenants Mac
laren. Saunders and Parkinson Tor
their ingenuity In effecting temporary
repairs. and for their GOODNESS ana
efficient work" fsf4S
Heroe@-An.
Following are the members of this
crew cited for GOODNESS and showing
qua titles of leadership:
George Norman. duertermaster.
1 third class: next OF kin. father. Peter
Hoffman. New York city.
Edward Henry weithbrodt. ma
/ chinst's mate. second class: next o.
kin. wife, Meta yeithbrodt. Newport.
r. T.
William A. Heath. bla cksmith: next
of kin. wife, Phoebe Heath. Norfolk
county. virginia.
John Gordon. boilermaker: next Of
kin. father. Joseph Gordon. Brook
Ign. N. Y.
Walter G Peterman electrician.
third class; next OF kin. father. Frank
/ Peterrnan. BROOKLYN, ". Y.
James r. Connolly. yeoman. third
/ class: next of kin, father. James 4,
Connolly. Brooklyn. N. r.
i Hans Otto Lawrence Miller. ueA-
man. second class; next Of kin. FraA~
els Miller Wilmington. Del.
John L. Davis, seaman. second cla1ss
next of kin mother. Elizabeth Dunnos
! New Orleans. La.
i Dennis Murray, seaman: naxf Of Inn,
mother, Mary Murray. New York city.
I Nocrxrvwy u,sr M Srrr rv<