New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-01-12
AmericanH Heroes Praised for
Gallant Conduct at Dx1'uzz0
Sailor Held Broken Piston Rod in Place With His
Hands During Entire Engagement, So the Ship
Could Keep in Fight-Navy Tells Details Of
Sinking Two Submarines

mouth. S. c. 324 took station according
ly. S. c. 337 had engine trouble and was
unable to take position. S. c. 1870. while
proceeding to screening station sighted
a mine similar to the German type
This mine was in the path of foul
british destroycrss, one Of which was
H. NJ. S. Shark, the 0S. S. c. 1870 left
formation and fired one three-inch
shell, which sank the mine. A second
mine was sighted about 500 yards dis
tant, and the chaser stood close to the
mine in order to warn off the approach
ing British de5troyers, all Of which
altered course 10 clear the mine.
Under Fire from Enemy
"At 9:10, in accordance with orders
received, Unit 8 set course to the
northeastward to take assigned patrol
station on line running west-south-
west from Cape Pail; speed fourteen
knots. The course set soon allowed
this unit to draw to the northward Of
the Italian bombarding force, which
was standing over to enter their bonn
harding sector. Soon afterward the
unit began to close on the British light
cruiser force, which was then standing
in an casterly direction to get into
position to turn and stand down for
the bombarding sector. The chascrs
accordingly altered course to star
board, thinking the cruisers would turn
to starboard, in order to keep clear.
The unit ran in parallel direction for
Il period of about fifteen minutes in a
position lnshore about 800 yards. Sew
era shots from the shore battery fell
IN the vicinity. The unit was running
full speed and zgzagging.
AS. 1t was seen the chasers could
/ not clear the light cruisers the unit
went hard left. When The unit gained
a position astern Of the left destroyer
escort the British force altered course
to port and stood down to enter bonn
harding sector. The unit accordingly
changed course to starboard and stood
Tor their patrol station. Shortly after
| this s. c. 1919, the rear ship in the
column, sighted moving feather abaft
the port beam and stood over to at
tack. A signal was sent TO S. c.. 215,
But this signal was not received.
'immedlately afterward the S. G. 215
saw the S. C. 129 sheering off and
therefore began changing course to
port. At this time S. c. 215 sighted a
moving feather little forward of the
port beam. While S. c. 215 and S. C..
126 were delivering their attack sig
nal was received from the 129 report
ing that her engines we're disabled
and later another signal reporting a
ssubmarine sighted. The s. G. 215 and
S. c. 12S, upon comrteting their at
tack, stood to the southwark toward
s. c. 1923. Shortly afterward S. c. 12S
reported sighting a submarine. so the
5. {. 2l5 and S. c. 1913 altered course
to westward to investigate. 1t was CON
cluded that no submarine had been
sighted by the S. c. 12S, SO the chasors
stood again to the southwark to close
S. c. 1919. Upon hailing S. G.. 1879 she
reported that she had sunk a subma-
rlne. AT that time her engines were
under repair.
"The S. c. 215 and S. c. 1928 con-
tlnued to search to the southwark and
kept a general southerly course until
it was seen that the British force had
completed their bombardment and that
all ships had turned off to head for
Brindisi. The S. c. 215 and S. C. 1928
then returned to S. c. 1919, which had
completed engine repairs.
Captured Vessel
+ The unit then stood over 10 capt
ure the hospital ship and while clos
ing hoisted the international flag stop
instantly!' II. NJ. S. Nereidc and II. Nj.
). Ruby at this time were astern of
the hospital ship. Upon closing, II. M.
5. NerelGc signalled that she would
stop and take off her armed guard crew
if the chasers wished to take over the
hospital ship at that time Reply was
sent that the chasers would take over
when clear of Durazzo.. The ships were
then north of Durazzo and it was con-
sldered lnadvlsable to delay unduly in
getting clear. Later II. NJ S. Tribune
and Fl. NJ. S. Shark signallcd Go to
brlndisi.' The three chasers formed
fslE rf Ia d.
outside the gate, instructions were re-
ceived from Brndsi to release the hos
+ pltal ship, whereupon the chasers re-
turned TO port and moored at 1890
a. M, October 3, 1918.
Omit up patrolled on her assigned
station to the southwark, firing one
three-nch shot at what appeared to
be sentry house on the shore of Cane
taghi 1t was then seen that the OBJ
Ject was a water tank, and no further
shots were fired. At ~ o'clock the
vessels CT this unit closed II. M. S.
! Weymouth and took screening stations.
they were the second and third chascrs
to reach the Weymouth.
Success Was Complete
The operation was q strategic sue
cess, as the combined attack Of ships
and aircraft si!enccd the shore bat
49, ~, INV UP liiC Ammunition Qul0D
and worked great havoc to the town,
the docks and boom dcfences, thereby
seriously interfering with the useful
ness of Duraz2o as military base for
some time 80 come. The ships which
we're lying in the iarbor were either
sunk or badly crippled. The torpedoes
which were discharged against the
dock and shipping from the British
destroyers and by the Italian moto-
scati which dashed into the harbor in
all probability did great damage to
their detectives.
II here were no casualties to the
personnel or material Of the chasers.
I'm conclusion, wish to speak in the
highest terms of the snappy manner in
which all the submarine chasers car
red out their duties. The spirit and
initiative shown by both officers and
men l consider highly commendablc.
the more especially as it was their first
experience under fire. Their attention
to signals and detail instructions,
many Of which had to be given verbally
at the very last moment before start
ing from Brindisi, was most noticeable
without single exception, and feel the
performance of the chasers shows that
they can be of great use to the main
fleet in any operations that may be
contemplated, especially those that
ncccssitatc operations in ahoal water.
Two U Boats Destroyed
~ wish especially to commend the
efficient manner in which the chascrs
! OF Unit b. under direct command az