Arizona republican., 1917-12-20
HERO IF NAVY v|S|TSPHOEN|X
 ON TR|P! WEST

and for coolness and qualities of leadership when his boat, the de- stroyer Cassin, was torpedoed in the war zone on October 15 and limped into a port A hours later, Lieutenant James A. Saunders, who arrived ln Phoenix yesterday morning, appeared not at all eXultant because of this enviable distinction. On the contrary he referred most modestly to the af- fair and took to himself but minor credit for the saving of the Cassin. which reached port after, having practically her entire stern torn away. Of the 100 or more men aboard, but one, Gunner's Mate Osmond Kelly Ingram, was killed, though eight or nine received injuries, two Of them of serious nature. -ir
 His boat out of commission while undergoing repairs, Lieutenant Saun- ders was ordered home and upon ar irving in the United States was re- assigned to sea duty on the Pacific. While he would say nothing of the post to which he is going, he ad- mitted that he is on his way to San Francisco and expects soon to be once more at sea- Whether an elevation in rank will shortly be forthcoming could not be ascertained from him, although with many new craft. near ing completion in the various govern ment .shipyards, it would not be sur prising if recognition of his worth should bring command of one or the boats soon to be afloat.
 When Lieutenant Saunders, whose home is in Butler, Ohio, and who has been in the naval service for 10 years, received his orders to proceed to San Francisco, he asked for and received a furlough of a few days, in order that he and Mrs. Saunders, who ac- companies him, could stop in Phoenix and visit the officers sister, Mrs. J. s. Benroth, who with her husband, are wintering in Scottsdale. Sending word of their coming, Lieutenant 1 Saunders learned that his brother-in- law had recently undergone an opera i ton at St. Joseph's hospital and had reached the period of convalescence where his removal would be permit ted. Then the officer recalled that 1 there was also in Phoenix a school day playmate in the person of Mrs
 Sam c. Kleck. Apprising Mir. and
 Mrs. Kleck of their coming, Lieuten- ant and Mrs. Saunders were met at the train yesterday morning by Mir. Kleck who took the visitors to his home and later to the hospital. The day was one of joyous reunions all l around.
 Late yesterday afternoon the hos pital patient was removed from the institution to Scotsdale where he will
 spend the remainder of the winter. Incidentally Lieutenant Saunders re- ceived word upon his arrival here that his furlough had been extended
 so that he could remain here until Saturday instead of being obliged to
 proceed today as he had expected.
 In speaking of the torpedoing of the Cassin, Lieutenant Saunders said
 that on the afternoon of October l5 a
 submarine was sighted at distance
 of nearly eight miles. The subsea
 craft soon afterwards submerged A
 search was instituted and had been in
 progress for about half an hour when
 Commander Walter Herr Vernou sud .
 denly saw the wake of torpedo some
 400 yards off and making rapidly for
 the Cassin.' It seemed that the pro-
 jectile must strike the vessel amid
 ship, but the commander ordered full
 speed ahead and the wheel hard over The Cassin was just clear of the torpedoe's path when the projectile
 broached on the surface, turned sharply and struck it's objective. With
 much of the stern torn away and
 with only one propeller working, the Cassin continued the search and some ? minutes later was rewarded by tho
 showing of the U-boat's coming tow CT. The guns of the Cassin opened
 fire and two shots came close to the , portion of the subsea craft showing l Lieutenant Saunders said the boa then disappeared. He was of tho } opinion that none of the shots iron the Cassin took effect.
 Alright bulkheads saved the Cassir } from sinking and the next day shc t made port, conveyed by American 1, and British ships. Lieutenant Saun ders said there was no panic aboard ] the damaged destroyer, no rush fo : the boats and no confusion of orders 2 As soon as it was ascertained tha the boat was in no danger of sinking
 the crew set about making such tenn
 porary repairs as seemed necessar, l and continued the search for the sub marine craft until drakness set ir He admitted that all on board be ] lieved at the time of the impact tha
 the Cassin was doomed.
 :, To the coolness of Commando Il Vernon he said was due the saving c e the destroyer.
 g The dispatches from Admiral Sim. e telling of the torpedoing of the Cassi
 and made public by the navy depart
 ment said that the behavior of tn
 officers and the entire crew was ad
 mirable. His report of the actus
 torpedoing did not vary in any deta
 from that given yesterday by Lieu
 tenant Saunders.