New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-01-12


son, played in the destruction of the
Austrian naval base at Durazzo, Octo
Der 2, 1918, in cooperation with the
Italian and British forces, is told in de-
tail in reports just received by thl
Navy Department. The British force
commander, in dispatch forwarded
through the British Admiralty to Ad
nliral Sims, said:
II am most grateful for the valuable
service rendered by eleven submarine
chasers under Captain Nelson, L. S. N.
and Lieutenant Commander Bastedo
L. s. N, which took the liberty O,
employing in an operation against Du
razzo on October 2. They screened
heavy ships during the bombardments
under enemy fire. also apparently de-
stroyed definitely one submarine which
torpedoed II. NJ. S. Weymouth and
damaged and probably destroyed an
other submarine. During the return
voyage they assisted in screening
ii. M. S. Weymouth and in cscortine
enemy hospital ship which was being
L
duct throughout was beyond praise
They all returned safely without cas-.
ualties., They thoroughly enjoyed
themselves"
Praise From Italians
a dispatch to Admiral Sims from
Rome stated:
Italian, Naval General Staff ex-
presses highest appreciation of useful
and efficient work performed by United
states chasers in protecting major
naval vessels during action against Du-
iazzo; also vivid admiration of their
brilliant and clever operations which
resulted in sinking two enemy sub
Marines
1t was on Saturday, September %,
that the commander at Corfu received
dispatch from Brindsi asking if
twelve American submarine chascrs
could be ready to leave the next day
for special service" They were told
to have aboard stores for four days,
and were Informed that further detin-
tie orders would be sent Sunday after
noon. The American reply to this
next morning Captain Nelson wired
brlndisi that he was ready and await
ing orders. The chasers arrived at
Brindisi Monday morning and were
given the general plan for the attack
on Durazzo and the part they were to
take in the operation.
One Chaser Left Behind
They sailed from Brindisi Wedncs
day morning, October 9, at 1 80 b. m. in
four units:
s. u cs15 s. uni ss ? Unit y aS Unit q II +
The S. c. 244. when getting under
way, fouled her propeller and was un-
able to leave port
AT $40 O'Clock the chascrs arrived off
Durazzo and stood by at a distance of
about six miles to await the approach
of the bombarding force, whose smoke
was visible on the horizon. At 9:O7
O'Clock, when the Italian main force
was approaching and was about seven
miles distant, order was given for the
chaser units to proceed to their as
signed stations.
Captain Nelson gives the following
details of operation of units:
Unit G screened the left n-shore)
flank of the Italian bombing squadron.
turned out of the bombarding sector
Unit G. turned and took station on the
left (in-shorc) flank Of the British
bombardment squadron, and remained
IN this screening position until the
bonlbardment ceased, after which this
unit accompanied the British destroy
ers toward Durazzo Harbor, and later
turned with these destroyers and
headed toward Brindisi. At l2:45 Unit
u took screening station on starboard
beam of H. NJ. S. Weymouth, and
formed part of the force which es-
corted this vessel to Brindisi.
Screened Bombing Squadron
Unit II screened the right (off shore
flank of the Italian bombing squadron.
When this force had finished firing and
turned out of the bombarding sector
Unit H turned and took station on the
right (off-shore) flank of the British
bombarding squadron, and remained in
this screening POSITION until the bonn
baydmcnt ceased. Afterward one YES
sci of this unit formed part of the force
which escorted II. NJ. S. Weymouth to
sank one mine and warned four Brit
iah destroycrs Of the presence of a
second mine.
Unit B attacked and sank two sub
marines, and later formed part of the
force which escorted the hospital ship
Baron Call to the entrance of Brindisi.
unit d patrollcd to the southwark
on station assigned. After the bonn
bardmcnt had ceased this uni. formed
part of the force which escorted II. NJ.
S. Weymouth TO Brindisi.
AT 9:55 Unit 6 arrived at station
on firing sector on the port hand of
advancing Italian hattlcsh:ps and
stopped to wait for battleships to close.
"l0:0S- Shore battery opened fl re on
Unit &, shots falling considerably
short
"10:12-- Commenced engaging Is
degrees off base course of battlcships,
speed IL knots, countcrmarching at
about middle OF sector and maintain
ing base position Of 1000 yards in
shore from firing squadron. Untcrval
between vessels Of unit, 500 yards.)
In Thick of Action
"10:51-Italian battleships ceased fir
ing and withdrew. Unit counter
marched to starboard and proceeded to
close on British cruisers, which were
closing on firing sector from the north
ward, and which took up bombs rdment
Immediately.
l:08- Bombardmcnt from sector
ceased and cruisers Withdrew. Unit G,
in company with destroy RS, proceeded
in toward harbor, destroycrs maintain
ing FIRE; w.,
changed course for Brindisi. destroyers
maintaining FIRE, to which there was no
reply.
'l1:25-Destroyers ceased firing.
"12:30--Changed course to 315 de-
ar fr< IN. tn III