South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-12-09

spirit OF cordial cooperation and an au.iet, -. +,to
the best care g. the eunners
In fairness to both sides may be interestinr 10
quote from the records two contrastns Instances of
how matters Jared shipboard one CHIEF rotr,- or
ncer writes at the end of he voyage
1t is with great pleasure that mention the cap
tain and his officers courteous men v-bo 49,
sisted and worked with me in every respect nav.
the captain TO thank for many lcndnesses rendered
the armed guard. AS example he allowed r,, r,,o,
the privileges of the ships slop chest without cost
Each man given boots gloves wooden 7,r7,~c1,tt
~, ana SOCKS also olisklns as IL unexpectedly
northern attitudes"
ticular navy job is not all beer ana rlrittIos sts
master alarms commanded the arnej .7,srs ,,.-os
the Atlantic in small tanker ne reported as fol-
An insufficient supply provisions was carried
which the outward trip resulted i'm no fresh neal
after the eighth day While lying Al "A French rort
we had no breakfast dinner. Coming home the
HeSh provisions were gone after three days at sea
and We had TO eat the emergency rations in the life
boats on the day reached port there wa moth
ing left in the ship except tea.
ION outward and return voyages the livt,,
from ports and doors continually exposed Vbue
passing through danger zone r protested ~ the
captain. but steps taken 10 sfop IN while
nearing the English Aorst lights and ybiss
used in spite of nv protests aid tI,o - -.
refused to zigzag told follow his instructions
but ne replied that the ship and much time
would be lost by zigzagging.
During encounter with an enemy sy1br,sr4n.
ether the captain or the first officer signal
to abandon ship about seconds after. tho ener, -
sighted. The fremen on deck the engines were
stopped and there was rush 70 the boats The cap
tain ordered the engineers below requested that
SEND one OF my men TO see the order 0beyed petty
oHlcef, armed with pistol the order obeved
A chief engineer was ordered by the captain 20 n
below and the ship underway He did not ot,ev
this order and therefore with my pistol
and threatened 20 shoot him not immediate
ly get the ship underway. Fe 0beyed my order The
conduct Of the chief was in disobedence OF
orders in the presence OF the enemy. was on,
after my threatening to kill him that ne obeyed the
captain
The second and third oanoers were apparently
afraid 10 order exposed lights extinEuished. They
showed an absolute lack Of comprehension or their
duty in this respect and never made slightest eff
fort TO cooperate with the armed guard The first Of
dcer, however OF great assistance and was the
only one who helped at all"
SEQUEL TO TALE.
AS a sequel this unhappy tale there is on ale a
note sent ashore from anchorage In am Atlantic
harbor just after this steamer reached port.
To the Commanding Officer. Nav Yard.
we regret 10 state that this ship OF Drosi-
nights supper. Up 70 the present yte have had no
breakfast or dinner The time is 1920 noon
(Signed) THE ARMED GUARD"
This ship was owned By wealthy corporation
whose management informed by the navy depart
ment. after INVESTIGATION that more armed guards
would be furnished unless the captain the second and
third officers and the chief engineer were removed
This done and the ship sailed again with "A new
crew and enough 70 eat As FOR the sheer cowardice
displayed in face Of danger. the case exceptional
The reports indicate as viii be displayed the
course OF this story that American merchant officers
are acquittiug themselves bravely AS might 5s exc
pected. amid the gravest hazards irnasina1e
The statement this chief arms - exc
tremely laconic Fe has eift OF narrative. he
knew results. The dre-roou gang in a
nanc the instant the submarine was sighted swarm
ing tumble into the boats the disgracef1l
rout By the chief engineer and two navy men driN-
ing them below 90 their duty threatened shoot
him ne oheyed ms order"-is coHspact sum-
mary the business. The .hip numbered on again
gunners ar their stations and busy shooting
submarine which presently forsooL them TO seek a
less puznacious