Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1918-09-27
MISSISSIPPLAN H0NORED.

Capt. DOusiGs E. Dismukss, IN Com
Es0nd Of nj. Vernon, Native Of Macon.
Capt. D. E. Dismukes, who has
been for several years in command
of the Battleship Kentucky, until
the past summer, when he was
placed in a more active service as
commander of the big transport
Mt. Vernon, had the misfortune,
early this month, to have his ship
torpedoed when 200 off the Eng.
lish coast. Only one torpedo hit
the big ship, which was damaged
so slightly that it was able to put
back into port under its own pow.
er at a IA knot rate. The failure
of the U.bost to render a fatal
blow was due to the fact that the
ship was prepared for just such an
emergency and it was also attacked
so quickly with guns and depth
bombs as to be unable to fire a Sc.
cond torpedo.
A telegram from Washington to
the Commercial Appeal of a late
date has the following to says OF
Capt. Dismukes:
Capt. Douglas Il. Dismukes, U.
s. N, commander of the ill. fated
Mount Vernon, when she was re.
Gently torpedoed, and whose Off.
GERS and men conducted themselves
with a gallantry so conspicuous as
to evoke a public expression Of
commendation from Secretary Of
War Baker and Secretary of the
Navy Daniel, is a native of Miss.
issippi. Capt. Dismukes was born
and reared in Macon, in which
town and section of Mississippi he
has number OF relatives. He was
appointed to Annapolis from the
First Congressional district bp the
then Congressman Barry in 1886,
and for several years after his gra
duation he was professor in the
academy. When war declared
against Germany Capt. Dismuke'
was a commander, but he was ad
vanced to captain with the frs
batch of promotions in the nav.
that followed that declaration"
There we.e SO casualties tsssst.s-
result Of the torpedoing of the Mt
Vernon, two of the victims beini
Mississippians, H. @. Carver O
Poplarville and Lambreth Hard,
: of Sarepta. Both were in the en-
gine.room, where all the casualtie
occurred. John D. Crymes, Jr.
son of Mr.. Geo. Crymes of Brooks
: vile, and cousin of Capt. Dis
, mukes, was member of the crew
= but escaped injury.
, Secretary of War Baker was i
, England at the time and sent th
, following cablegram to the Secre
: tary of the Navy:
I; II have Just visited and viewed tn
e Mt Vernon. The high-spirited mora
Of its men and the masterful seaman
/. Eship of its captain and officers, mBk
such stirring story Of heroism that
wish all the nation might know tt
e splendid way in which that huge tram
port met and foiled the attempt to de-
troy it at sea. The traditions Of yol
service are enriched by the conduct
: this emergency. BAKaR.
Secretary Baker signaled Capt. Di
mukes this message:
:. "The Secretary of War sends gree
" ing and congratulates you on the ws
you brought your ship safely into po
'' after the hard luck of being subm
rined."
Secretary Baker also wrote to Cap
n Dismukes as follows:
III Americen ExpeditionaIy Forces
q Office Of the Chief of Staff.
J. September 8, 1918
My dear Capt. Dismukes:
, have been so moved by the splend
y conduct of the officers and men wi
saved the Mt. Vernon that have C
X bled the Secretary Of the Navy, and
y enclose copy of the message in Il
hope that its expressions may conv'
I'd to you, your officers and your men sor
sense of the pride our country will fe
in this story of courage, loyalty al
successful daring.
IN With your lost comrades, yoI W
IN have been mercifully saved have add
IN another page to the navy's best ira,
'n tions, and wish you all, my late shi
of mates, continued success and all go
ne fortune in the great cause yeu have
as nobly served. Cordially yours,
&c NEWTON d. BAKER