The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-12-29


Gates, as il was preparing to attack q
destroyers.
The navy departments full story
Of the incident follows:
AT about 4:1O o'clock D. M, while
escorting a convoy, Coxswain David
ID. Loomis, lookout of the Tanning,
sighted a small periscope some dist
ance off the port bow, extending
about a foot out of water and visible
for only few seconds. The Tanning
Immediately headed for the spot and
| about three minutes after the peris-
cope had been sighted dropped a
depth charge. The Nicholson also
speeded to the position of the sub
marine, which appeared to be head
ing toward a merchant vessel In the
convoy and dropped another depth
charge. At that moment the sub
marines 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
increase her speed. The Nicholson
cleared, the Tanning 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 sur
rendering at 4:2S o'clock p. m.
THE Tanning approached the sub
marine to pick up the prisoners, both
destroyers keeping their batteries
trained on the boat.
Submarine Sinks.
"A line was got to the submarine
but in a 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.
Although the crew all wore life
preservers", the statement continues
"a number of them were exhausted
when they reached the side of the
destroyer. AS the submarine sank
five or six men were caught by the
radio aerial and carried below the
surface before they disentangled
themselves. Ten of the men were so
weak that the lines had to be passed
under their arms to haul them
aboard. One man was I'm such q con-
6ition that he could not even hold
the line thrown him. Chief Pharma-
cists Mate Elzer Harwell and Cox
swain Francis G.. Connor, IN. N. VI
jumped overheard after this man and
secured a, line under his arms. When
he was hauled aboard every effort
was made to resuscitate him, but ne
died in a few minutes. The four off,
GERS of the submarine and the IS
members of the crew were all taken
prisoners.
After being taken on board the
prisoners were given hot coffee and
sandwiches. Though 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 their
warm coats and heavy clothing.
Wrecked BY First Charge.
"The German officers said the first
depth charge had wrecked the ma
chinery of the submarine and caused
her to sink to 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 reports said, had Kaiser marked
on one side and 'Gott' on the other.
THE Tanning proceeded to port
and transferred her prisoners under
guard. AS they were leaving In
small boats the Germans gave three
the Tanning read the burial service
over the body Of the dead German
sailor and the destroyer proceeded
10 sea and buried him with fun mili-
tary honors.
'Tn his report the commander of
the Tanning praises the conduct Of
his officers and crew, and gives par
ticular credit to Lieutenant Walter
o. Henry, officer OF the deck and TO
Coxswain Loomis who sighted the
periscope, He also commends
Pharmacists Mate Harwell and Cox
swain Connor. who jumped overheard
to save the drowning German.
The British commander-in-c -chief,
under whom the destroyers were
operating, said this I'm his report to
the British admiralty:
The whole affair reflects credit
on the discipline and training Of the
United States fiotilla," and added that
ming is a man OF war In the best
sense Of the term. well disciplined
and organized and ready for immed-
late action. He also praises her
commander, Lieutenant "A. s. Carp
ender. and commends Lieutenant
Henry, CoxsWain L.oomis, Pharma-
cist's Mate HarwelI and Coxswain
Connor. The British admiral also
commended the prompt action Of the
Nicholson, which he says completed
the success of it's sister ship. The
Nicholson was commanded by Lieut.
enant g. III. Fort. The British ad-
miralty sent a telegram to the COM
mander- in chief, directing him to ex-
press to the commanding oficer, Of
ficers and men OF the Tanning its
high appreciation Of their success
full action against enemy suhmarines.
vice Admiral Sims, commanding
the American forces. operating in
European waters, commended the Of
ficers and men OF the Tanning and
Nicholson. Coxswain LOomis Was
advanced to the next higher rating
IN recognition Of his vigilance in