New-York tribune., 1918-10-12
u. S. Navy
Led I'm Attack
Upon Durazzo
<
Submarine Chasers Piloted
Italians and British
Through Mine Fields
Destroyed Craft
In Austrian Harbor
Yankees Stood Dangerous
Iest With Splendid
Bravery and Goodness

AN ITALIAN SEA BASE IN THE
LOWER ADRIATIC, Oct. 9 (f3y the As
scciated Press).-For the first time in
the history of the world American ships
have fought in the Adratic, participat-
ing in the attack upon and destruction
Of one of the greatest Austrian naval
bases, Durazzo, founded by the in
nabftants of the island OF Corfu ove,
1000 years before the discovery OF
America. The whole italian fleet took
Fart in the attack, aided by American
submarine chasers and French and
Rritish oestroycrs.
~The expedition Started from an
Adriatte port at s o'clock IN the morn
ing. and Immediately divided into TWO
groups. The larger units saileh north
ward to take up positions beoweoh
Cattaro, where the bulk of tina Ats
tian feet lay, and Durazzo, fus Che
purpose OF nipping in the bud any
attempt at interference. The remain
der of the fet headed straight for
Durazzo. The American chasorl and
Allied destroyers went ahead in fatr-
shaped formation, on the looxons for
submarines, while the airplanos which
accompanied the expedition all the
way kept sharp watch from the aiH.
AT IL O'Clock the Albanian bills
were sighted and shortly nftorward
the white houses at Durazgo how, in
tight. Half an hour later the fest
was on the edge of the Austrian mine
field. A highly dangerous task was
now entrusted to the American sub
marine chasers, namely. to steam ahead
afid explore and mark SAFE passages
FOR the larger craft with flags fixed
on small floats. The work was reTs-
dared all the mora perilons by the
heavy sea running.
Throughout the whole operation,
'carlessly picking their way between
sunken mines. the small American vos-
sells kept steadily on their way until
they had crossed the whole OF the das-
ger zone. Then the remainder of thu
ehet entered the mine field, following
in the track of the American chasers,.
r. AT this point the Austrian coast has-
tories opened FIRE and great spurts Of
water were caused by the striking
Shells.
Americans Stand Test
The rroiectiles kept creepin~ nearer
and pearer the American craft. which
wera unable to man9uvre. owing tU
he nine.. The men stood tina test
splendtlv. and aroused great adm irtz-
ticu by their cool and cheerful near lne
as tbey stood to tt guns awaiting
s3sa order TO fire. Tn order was given
70 increase speed, and the fleet emerged
from The mine field unscathed. II in,-
mcdiatelv fell into battle formation and
began to lombard the land defences
The American chasers and Allied d.
a%rovers were ordered to proceed
Straight into Durazzo Harbor and a.
ta.k two large and three smaller steam
ers, two destrcyers. one torpedo boat.
a number Of submarines and nuantity
Of small craft living within theharhn,:
One OF the large steamers innfpe-
lately made off to the north. but as it
was recognized as hospital ship II
was allowed to proceed
Other Ships Headed OFF
rhe other steamers were quickly
sunk The torpedo boat. hit early in
the action, was run as hore. while the
f~o destroyers tried to slink Of. hug
ring the coast line. The American sub
marine chasers and British destYoyers
headed them off and sent hoti, to .tir,
bottom after short but lively adtinn.
Two enemy submarines appeared on
the surface and fired two torpe does
onn of which hit a British DESTROYER
without sinking her. The Americans
swooped down on the submarines and
sank them both with superb eunnorv,
BY 12:30 all the shore batteries had
been reduced TO silence and the whula
town was one immense blaze. Signals
were sent 10 the fleet, which had vail,iv
waited two hours off Cattaru fnr tfr,.
Austrians to come that the acttpn was
over. Threading their way sgain
through the narrow passage in thu
mine field marked by the American
submarine chasers, the whole fleet
steamed majestically homewnrds