The Pensacola journal., 1920-03-28


THANKS OF BRITISH AND ITAL-
IANS FOR GALLANT WORK OF
OUR sUBcHASERS IN PROTEc-
TING CRUISERS THAT SHELLED
AUSTRIAN MILITARY BASE.
On September 2S. 1918, Captain Mel
son received the following communica-
tion from the commander of the AL
lied Naval forces at Brindisi, Commo-
dore w. A. Kelly, r. N:
Can you hold twelve chasers ready
to leave Corfu tomorrow Sunday
for special service? They should have
stores for four days. If unavoidable,
barrage force may be reduced during
their absence. Request reply. Further
definite orders will be sent Sunday
aftern oon."
To this Captain Nelson sent an
answer which was entirely character
istic:
Yes"
The Captain well know what the en-
terprise was to which this message
referred. The proposed undertaking
was one which was very close to his
heart and one which he had constantly
urged. The Austrian port of Durazzo,
on the Adriatic, at that time was play
ing an important part in the general
conflict. 1t was a base by which
GeTmSuy ana AuSLTld naQ sent sup
plies to their ally Bulgaria.; and in
September the Entente had started
the campaign against Bulgaria which
finally ended in the complete humilia-
ton OF that country. The destruction
OF Durazzo as a base would greatly
assist this operation. Several ships
lay in the harbor; there were many
buildings used for army stores; the de-
struction of all these, as well as the
docks and military works, would rem
der the port useless. The lombard
ment of Durazzo was therefore the un-
dertalging for which the assistance of
our subchasers had been requested.
Plan TO Shell Duraxzo.
II was estimated that about one
hours heavy Smelling would render
this port valueless as an Austrian
base: and to accomplish this destruc
ton the Italians had detailed three
battle cruisers. the San Georgia. the
Pisa. npd the San Marco. and the
British three light scout cruisers, the
Lowestoft. the Dartsmouth, and the
Weym outh. According to the plan
agreed upon the Italian ships would
arrive at Durazzo at about 10 o'clock
on wednesday morning. October 2,
lombard the work for an hour and
then return to Brindisi; when they had
finished, 1t was proposed that the
British cruisers should take their
places lombard for an hour and like
wise retire.
The duty which had been assigned
20 the subchasers in this operation
was an important one. The Austrians
had a considerable force of subma-
rines at Durazzo; and 1t was to be
expected that they would send them
to attack the bombarding warships.
20
company the cruisers, in order TO fight
any submarine which attempted to in
terfere with the game.
Remember the life Of these battle
cruisers depends upon your vigilance
and activity" said Captain Nelson In
the instructions issued to the officers
who commanded the little vessels.
Subchasers Slip Through Net.
At nine o'clock that Sunday eve
ming twelve chasers slipped through
the net at Corfu and started across
the Adriatic; they sailed in column"
or single file, Captain Nelson heading
the procession in subchaser 95, his !
second in command, Lieut.-Commander
Bastedo, coming next IN chaser 215. /
The tiny fleet hardly suggested to the
observer anything in the nature OF
military operations; they looked more |
ike a group OF motor launches out Tor |
"a summer cruise. The next morning |
they arrived at 3rindisi, the gather |
ing place of all the allied vessels |
which were to participate in the op- /
eration-that same Brindisi Cor Brun- |
dfsiumD which was one or the Famous |
ports OF antiquity, the town from which
Augustus and Antony, in AZ B. G.,
started on the expedition which. at
the battle of Phillip, was TO win them
the mastery OF the ancient world |
ITpon arriving, Captain Nelson went /
ashore for a council with Commodore /
Kelly. who commanded the British /
cruisers. and other allied officers
When he returned Captain Nelson's
face was glowing with happiness and
expecta ton.
'It's going to be a real party. boys"
he informed his subordinate officers.
Two days were spent at Brindisi.
preparations; on Tuesday
evening Captain Nelson called all his |,
officers for a meeting on board the
British destroyer Badger, to give them
all the details of the forthcoming
party" If there had been any flag
ging spirits in that company when the
speech began-which 1 do not believe
all depression had vanished when
"Juggy'; had finished his remarks
every officer left with his soul filled by
the same joy of approaching battle
as that which possessed his chief.
A Dark Night For Journey.
At $3.50 Wednesday morning the !
chasers left Brindisi. steering a straight
course to Durazzo. The night was |
very dark and the harbor was black /
also with the smoke from the cruis-
ers and other craft. which were max {
ing preparations to get away. After II
fau -
with their glasses, obtained their first I