The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-05-30
Destroyers Haze Done
Wonders in European Waters

WASHINGTON, May 2s.-(By Asso-
ciated Press. This month marks the
first anniversary of the arrival of
Americas destroyers fleet in foreign
waters.
In year that has elapsed-during a.
year that an inert nation has shaken off
its lethargy and modified its resources
in men and materials for the great war
the fleets have operated effectively in
conveying transports and Kidding the
sea lanes of the lurking submarine.
Detailed description or narratives of
the work and exploits OF Vice Admiral
Simms' fleet are not revealed. Spo-
radically the news cables have carried
a succinct despatch telling Of an en-
gagement between an American destroy
er and a submarine, but the navy de-
partment still confines to its archives
the running story of American naval
achievements during the first years
participation in the war.
Some day the entire story will be
published and the nation will thrill
with pride for the boys who wore the
blue. To tell effectively, yet briefly
how successful has been the watch OF
Britain's and Americas destroyer fleets
it is necessary only to point out that
was to have accompanied the great
drive in the west this spring in bring
ing the allied world TO its knees, has
not materialized. Even, may it be said
1T has proved an almost utter failure.
During the past winter, German
newspapers frankly disclosed that the
sea marauders were being recalled to
their home ports SO that they might
be repaired, refitted and overhauled in
preparation for a campaign that would
sweep the Atlantic routes clear of all
transports and supply ships. Presum
ably Won Tirpitz, the apostle Of ruth
less submarine warfare, had his sea-
rovers carefully repaired. Presumably
the raiders left port with the plaudits
of cheering crowds ringing in their
ears. And, now, presumably. the
U-boats have returned with a mighty
slim list of victories to report
The destroyer fleets have been on the
job.
Warfare on helpless merchant craft
still continues. But, the German sub
marine commander has grown exceed
ingly wary about coming to the sur
face unless assurance is positive that
no allied destroyers are in the vicinity.
In fact, the submarine is getting in-l
creasingiy reluctant about exposing anyl
part of its hide to the disconcertingly
effective gunfire of British or Ameri-l
can naval craft. Weekly a few labor
ing tramps fall victim to the U-boats.
However, the number of sinkfngs is
decreasing at a rate that induces con-
fidence in the ability Of the Allies to
minimize the submarine menace. The
destroyers patrol the trade routes with
vigilance that does not permit the
submarine to break surface very often.
A periscope draws a deluge of gun
fire, while the area in which the under
sea craft last was seen is converted
rapidly into a whlrling field OF spray
by depth-bombs During the year that
the American destroyers have been
cunning for U~boats- there has oc-
Cured one incident that Wfil live in
naval annals. It's the story of the Fam
ming.
When the enemy was sighted by the
ever-vigilant lookout, shells from the
Americans guns were rained on the
submersible in such volume that she
was compelled to come to the surface
and run up the signal of surrender. The
crew-men who gleefully had watched
torpedo blast its way into the bowels
of helpless merchantman-lined up on
the deck of their fast-sinking boat. held
up their hands in abject terror and beg
ged for mercy. They were saved but
American boys were compelled In some
cases to leap overheard to save their
enemies from drowning.
The announcement recently by Secre
tary Daniels that American warships