The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-29
U-BOAT CREW



olson tired 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 increase her speed.
LAS the Nicholson cleared, the Fan
ming headed for the U-boat, firing
from the bow gun. After the third shot
the crew of the submarine all came on
deck and held up their hands, the
submarine surrendering at 4:2S p M
THE Tanning approached the sub
marine to pick up the prisoners. both
destroyers keeping their batteries
trained on the boat. A line was got
to the submarine, but in few minutes
she sank the line was let go and the
crew of the U-bOat jumped into the
water and swan to the Tanning.
Ten Germans We're Exhausted.
"Altho the crew all wore life pre-
servers, a number of them were ex-
the destroyers. AS the submarine
sank five or six men were caught by
the radio aerial and carried below the
surface before they disentangled them
selves. Ten of the men were so weak
that lines had to be passed under their
arms to haul them aboard. One man
was in such condition that he could
not even hold the line thrown him.
"Chief Pharmacists Mate Elzer
HarWelI and Coxwain Francis G.. Con
nor jumped overheard after the man
and passed line under his arms.
When he was hauled aboard every eff
fort was made to resuscitate him but
he died in few minutes.
After being taken on board the
prisoners were given hot coffee and
sandwiches. Tho kept under strict
guard, they seemed contented and
after a short time commenced to sing.
To make them comfortable the crew
of the destroyer gave them warm
coats and heavy clothing.
U-BOat Machinery Wrecked.
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 marks. She was iden-
titled by life belts and by statements
of an officer and men of the crew.
One of the life belts had Kaiser
other.
Praise for o. S. tackles.
THE Tanning proceeded to port and
transferred her prisoners under guard.
AS they were leaving in small boats,
the Germans gave three cheers.
The commanding officer of the
Tanning read the burial service over
the body of the dead German sailor and
| the destroyer proceeded to sea and
! buried him with full military honors.
THE commander of the flaming
reports that the conduct of all his
officers and crew was excellent"
| The British commander-in-chiefu IN
| der whom the American destroyers
were operating praised the United
| States flotilla and especially the Fan
| ming as a man of war in the sense
well disciplined and organized, and
ready for immediate action
Reward for Seeing U-boat.
| The British admiral also recon-
mended the Nicholson.
| Vice Admiral Sims, commanding the
| American patrol in European waters
| issued an order commencing the Of
| ficers and crew of both destroyers
| Coxswain LOOMS was advanced to the
next higher rating in recognition OF
his vigilance in sighting the periscope
Officers of the destroyer Tanning
and warrant officers commended are:
| Lieut. A. S. Carpenter
| Commander, George Street, New
| Brunswick, n. J.
Lieut.. George Fort, executive off.
GER, Washington.
Lieut.. Walter o. Henry, care N F
| Miloy, Murphysboro, Tenn.
Lieut.. Junior Grade Robert B. Tar
| ney, Philadelphia
Ensign John A. Vincent, Chicago.
Coxswain D. A. Loomis, Faye
| Mich.
well, Scott Hill, Tenn.
Coxswain Francis e. Conner, Jer
sey City, N. J.