South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-10-23
SeC'y Daniels Makes Public
Admiral Sims Report of
Sea Fight.

WASHINGTON. oct 22-CooI-
ness and quick maneuvering by
Commander Walter n. Vernon
probably saved the American de
stroyer. Cassin. from destruction in
an encounter with a German sub
marine in the war zone on oct. 16.
the navy department was advised
Monday by Vice Admiral Sims in
his full report OF the tight. meager
details Of which were received last
week
Before she had an opportunity
70 fire a shot the destroyer was hit
on the stern BY a torpedo which
killed Gunner's Mate Oren Kelly
Ingram slightly wounded five others
of crew and put one engine out Of
commission.
QuiCk Action.
The Cassin had been searching
an hour tor a submarine first sight
ed five miles away when Comman-
der Vernon suddenly saw d torpedo
four hundred yards distant and
making for the ship at great speed
Realizing that his vessel was in
imminent danger Of being hit amid
ships and broken in two. the COM
mander ordered full speed ahead
and the wheel hard over. The pa
troll boat was just clear of the tor
pedo's path when the projectile
preached on the surface, turned
sharply and hit its object.
Recovering quickly from the
shock Of the explosion, the Cassin
continued the search 10 be reward
ed by the showing Of the U-boat's
coming tower -Four shots were sent
at the German and two came 50
close that the submarine quickly
went under again.
Continued Search.
With all men alert at their sta
tions, the destroyer continued its
hunt until darkness. Later. convoy
ed 10y other American and British
patrol boats she made port. In the
meantime officers and men had
made temporary repairs.
Admiral Sims reported that the
behavior Of the officers and the
entire crew was admirable He gave
special credit 10 Commander Vernon
and commended LieUts. MacLaran,
Saunders and Parkinson for their
ingenuity in effecting repairs and
for their GOODNESS and efficient
work Many of the ships enlisted
personnel also were cited by the
admiral for GOODNESS and qualities
of leadership.
Official Statement.
The navy department made this
official announcement:
The destroyer recently mention
ed in dispatches made public, as be-
ing injured by a torpedo. was the u.
S. A. CasSin, commanded by Com
mander w y. Vernon; executive
officer, Lieut.. j. w MacLaran,
Junior officers Lieut.. J. A. Saunders,
Lieut.. /. r. Agrell. Lieut.. r. NJ.
Parkinson. and Assistant Surgeon
ID. w. Queen.
While this vessel was on her pa
troll station a submarine was sight
ed on the surface at about five
miles distant. The Cassin immediate
~ started at full speed toward the
submarine with her crew at their
battle stations She searched the
area for about 30 minutes, ZIG
Tagging back and forth. when the
commanding officer Vernon sighted
torpedo running at high speed
near the surface about four hum
dred yards away, headed 70 strike
the Cassin amidship.
One Engine Disabled.
Realizing the situation the com
handing officer rang for emergency
full speed ahead on both engines
put the rudder hard over and was
just clear Of the torpedo's course
when II preached on the surface,
turned sharply toward the vessel
and struck the stern of the Cassin.
Fortunately only one engine was
disabled. thereby permitting the de-