The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-30
U-bOAT
is SENT DOWN
Destroyers Tanning and
Nicholson Assist in End
ing Existence of Slinker.
BRAVE RESCUE
BY u. S. SEAMEN
Capture Large Part of Crew.
Full Details Are Made
Public by Department
(By Associated Press.)

Washington, Dec 29.-Full details
of the destruction by American de-
stroyers of q German U-boat and the
capture of it's crew made public today
by the navy department show that the
destroyers Tanning and Nicholson
were the warships engaged. The incl
dent was reached on the cath, but few
facts We're given.
The submarine was sunk, the navy
departments story of the affair in
dicates as it was preparing to attack
a merchant ship fiotilla conveyed by
the destroyers.
The navy departments full story of
the incident follows:
AT about 4:1o p. IN. while escorting
a convoy, Coxswain David D. Loomis
looked out of the Tanning, sighted a
small periscepe some distance on the
port bow, extending about foot out
of water, and visible for only a few
seconds. The Tanning Immediately
headed for the spot and about 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 heading toward merchant vessel
in the convoy, and dropped another
depth charge. At that moment the
submarines coming tower appeared
on the surface between the Nicholson
and the convoy and the Nicholson
fired three shots from her stern gun
The bow of the submarine came up
rapidly. She was down by the stern
but righted herself and seemed to in
crease her speed. The NICHOLSON
cleared, the Tanning headed for the
U-boat. firing from the bow gun
After the third shot the crew or ths
submarine all came on deck and held
up their hands. the submarine sur
rendering at 4:25 p. m.
The Tanning approached the SUD
marines to pick up the prisoners. ootn
destroyers keeping their batteries
trained on the boat. A line was sor
to the submarine, but in few MIN
utes she sank, the line was let go 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 py
the radio aerial and carried below tho
surface before they disentangled them
selves. Ten of the men were so weak
that lines had to be passed under tne'r
arms to haul them aboard. one man
was in such a condition that he could
not even hold the line thrown him.
Chief Pharmacists Mate Elzer Har-
well and Coaswain Francis G. Conner
IN N. w jumped overheard after this
man and secured line under his
arms When he was hauled aboard
every effort was made to resusciate
him, but he died in few minutes.
,t~vvN v.tv no
and the thirty FIVE members Of tho
crew were all taken prisoners.
fter being taken on board the
prisoners were given hot coffee and
sandwiches. Though kept under strict
guard, they seemed contented and af-
ter 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 mark. She was,
however identified by life belts and by
statements of an officer and men OF the
crew One of the life belts, the report
said had Kaiser marked on one
side and "Gott" on the other.
THE Tanning proceeded to port and
her prisoners under guard.
As they weer leaving in small boats
the Germans gave three cheers. This
officer of the Tanning read
the burial service over the body of
the dead German sailor and the de-
stroyer proceeded to sea and buried
him with fun military honors.
'.Tn his report, the commander OF
the Tanning praises the conduct OF his |
officers and crew. and gives particular |
credit to 7 lieutenant Walter o. Henry. |;
officer of the deck and to CoxswaIn |
Loamis, who sighted the periscope
He also commends Pharmacists Mate
Harwell and Coxswain Connor, who |
iumped overheard to save the drown
ing German.
The British commander in chief, /