Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1919-01-09
Letter From Mack Dunn.

U. S. S. Wyoming,
Portland, England,
Dec. 9th, 1918
Dear Editor
Win you allow me enough space in
your paper to relate to my old friends in
Rockingham a brief outline of the sur
render of the German High Sea Fleet. !
was an eyewitness to it all so here is the
story.
ss November, 21st, 1918
The sun has just gone down on the
most wonderful day in all the long his
tory. Of war at sea. A great navy. once
proud of its young strength and imperial
mission, gave. this morning into ignomin-
ious captivity more than three score of
its biggest and best SHIPS.
For the last two or three days the
Grand Fleet has breathed a quickening,
electrified air, since armistice night,
when Haig and other officers sang and
danced on the forecastle deck with sea-
men and marines, every ship attached to
the fleet has been full of joyousness.
1t is generally known that by terms of
the armistice the German ships were to
be unarmed and manned only by navi-
eating crews. But all was ready to blow
the German ships out of the water should
any trick be attempted. Treachery was
not expected, but the navy does not be-
lieve in taking chances.
Last night the 81 md feet lay at its
moorings in the firth of forth. Above
the bridge were battleships, destroyers,
and submarines ard CONSPICUOUS among
these was the French armored cruiser,
"Amiral Cube" flying the flag of Admiral
Grassett, which with two destroyers rep
resented the French navy in the final
act Of the great drama. Below the
bridge were battleships, battle-cruisers,
and again a prominent place was taken
by ships Of partner nation in the great
struggle, the'New York. Texas, Askansas,
Wyoming, Florida.
Throughout the night the flagship was
in touch by wireless with the German
feet noting its progress towards the place
OF rendezvous, at two o'clock in the
morning the feet was reported about
seventy miles from the spot. German
ENJOYS who came in the "Koenigsburg''
last Friday had stated for some reasons
Of which, am not aware. perhaps for
wont Of attention and perhaps from lack
of fuel, their feet would be unable to
steam at more than twelve knots.
A few minutes before four o'clock the
first battle squadron. led by the IRE
venge" weighed anchor. followed at inter-
walls BY the first light cruiser squadron.
Sixth light cruiser squadron. First cruis-
er squadron. Fifth battle squadron.
Sixth battle squadron. (American,)
Second battle squadron. Queen Elizabeth,
Lion. first battle cruiser squadron, fourth
light cruiser squadron The above ships
composed the northern line. The south
ern line was composed of the third light
cruiser squadron. Minotaur. Furious,
Fourth battle squadron. First battle
squadron, Second battle cruiser squad.
ron. Seventh light cruiser squadron.
Half past eight came and with it came
the report that the German feet had been
sighted BY our destroyers, an hour passed
and the sun rising heavens began to
tinge the SKY with gold presently.-three
four, or five miles away on our starboard
bow there came into view Sausage
balloon towed BY the "Candiff." AT first
It was q mere faint speck in a grey mist,
with slight smoke trail stretching out
below. Then behind the 'Candiff'' there
emerged from the waves the first Of the
German SHIPS at three miles range they
appeared to- be no more than slowly
moving silhouettes. On coming abreast
Of the German feet the British fleet
turned ii squadrons. 16 points outwards
wheeling, that IS to say. back on its own
track retaining positions on both sides
Of the Germans to escort them to their
anchanage The order Of squadrons as
already given from the northern and
southern line was thus reversed.
Between The lines came the Germans,
~ h< ~ III e f.arfliffst and InnlsinuN for