Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-10-23
After Being Damaged by
orpe do, the Cassen
Sticks to Her Post,
Sims Reports

w n II y G 7 0 y, October "a
Amcricas naval annals were enriched
to-day by a new story of daring,
heroism and devotion. 1t was the story
of the commander and crew of the
United States destroyer Cassin, the
vessel damaged by submarines tor
pedo several days ago. and later towed
to port.
The full report from vice-Admiral
Sims. commanding the American fleet in
European waters, came by cable o-day.
1t tells how the Cassir, torpedoed by
an unlucky freak Of the sea, searched
the waters for her enemy for hours
after she was wounded and disabled,
sighted that enemy cnce. and sent four
shells .whistling SO close that only by
rapid dip did the U-boat escape. and
finally. with one engine out Of COM
mission. stuck to her post Of duty un-
til relieved by other dcstroyers. Vice.
Admiral Sims sent warm words of
praise for the Cassn's captain. Com
mander w. n. Vernon. his officers and
twenty-five OF the crew. The conduct
OF the officers, Admiral Sims reports,
was admirable: the twenty-five rnen
were cited FOR showing GOODNESS and
qualities OF leadership"
CRISP OFFICIAL LANGUAGE
OF DEPARTMENT REPORT
Here Is the whole story. told In the
crisp official language of Navy De-
partment statement:
The destroyer recently mentioned in
dispatches made public as being In
1ured by torpedo. was the United
States steamer Cassin. commanded by
Commander w. y. Vernon; executive
officer. Lieutenant j. w. Maclarcn;
Junior officers. Lieutenants j. A.
Saunders. L. r. Agrell and r. NJ. Parl1in-
son, and Assistant Surgeon D. w.
Queen.
while this vessel was on her patrol
station, submarine was sighted on
the surface at about five miles distance.
The Cassin Immediately proceeded ut
full speed towards the submarine, with
her crew at their battle stations
She searched the area for about
thirty minutes. Zigzagging back and
forth, when the commanding o1lcer,
Commander Vernon, sighted torpedo
running at high speed near the sur
face about 400 ynrds away. headed to
strike the Cassin sinidships.
Realizing the situation, the com.
mandinE officer rang for emergency
full speed ahead on both engines, nut
clear OF the torpedo's course when It
brached on the surface, turned sharplv
towards the vessel and struck the stern
of tho Cassin
CONTINUES SEARCH
FOR SEVERAL HOURS
fortunately, only one engine was
oisapIed' thereby permitting the de-
stroyer to itmnin under way. circl;nr
of l,n
about an hour the submarine exposed
It's coming tower long enough for the
Cassin to fire four shots. Two OF the
shots fell SO close to the submarine th,t
II was forced TO submerge Immediately.
ana was not again seen. The Cassin
continued to search until dark, when.
having been Joined by other British
ana American patrol vessels. she was
taken safely into port.
Vice-Admiral Sims states that tba
pehavior of the officers and the crew
was admirable. There was no exctte-
ment on board. the men remaining
quietly at their battle stations
throughout the night, except when
called to other duties He commends
the British navy for prompt and efl-
cient assistance rendered the Cassin.
Admiral Sims gives especial credit
to Commander Vernon for his vigilance
and prompt action, which probably
saved the Cassin from total loss. Ee
also commends Lieutenants Maclaren.
Saunders and Parkinson for their in
genuity in effecting temporary repairs,
and for their coolness and efficient
work"
MEMBERS OF CREW
CITED FOR GOODNESS
Following are the members of tho
crew cited for GOODNESS and showing
qualities of leadership:
George Hoffman. quartermaster, third
class; next of kin. father. Peter Hoff-
man, New York City.
Edward Henry Weithbrodt, machin-
lists mate, second class; next of kin.
wife. Meta Weithbrodt. Newport. II I.
William a. Heath. blacksmith; next
OF kin, wife, Phoebe Heath. Norfolk
County. Virginia.
John Gordon. boilermaker; next of
kin, father. Joseph Gordon. Brooklyn.
n. Y.
Walter G. Peterman. electrician,
third class; next of kin. father, Frank
Peterman. Brooklyn. ". Y.
James IT. Connolly. yeoman, third
class; next of kin. father. James r
Connolly, Brooklyn. y. y.
Hans Otto Lawrence Miller. seaman
second class: next Of kin. Francis Mil
Ter. Wilmington. Del.
John l.. Davis. seaman. second class:
next OF kin. mother. Elizabeth Dunno,
New Orleans, La.
Dennis Murray. seaman: next OF kim
mother, Mary Murray, New York Guy.
NESBiT NAMED BY M'ADO0