The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-04-20
GOOD WORK AT DURAzzo

selves partlcuiarly ln tner partlclpatlOn in the attack on the Austrian naval base at Durazzo October 2, 1918. A dozen Of them escorted the British and Italian men, -of-war, braving the fire of the forts and attacking the U-boats under a rain of shells. They emerged from the con flict unscathed.
 The following dispatch from the ad- miral in command of the British Adriatic naval force, with which they operated, gave me a thrill:
 'I am most gratified for the valuable service rendered by 12 submarine chasers, under Capt c. P. Nelson, U. S. N. and Lieutenant Commander F. D. Bastedo,
 U. s. N., whom I took the liberty of employing in an operation against Du- razzo on October 2
 They screened heavy ships during the bombardments under enemy fire, also ap- parenly destroyed definitely one subma-
 rine which torpedoed H. M. S. Wey- mouth. and damaged, probably destroyed, another submarine. During the return voyage they assisted in screening H. M s. Weymouth and in escorting enemy hospital ship which was being brought in for examination. Their conduct throughout was beyond praise. They all returned safely without casualties They thoroughly enjoyed themselves RELATES EXPERIENCE
 
 probably to sc. 2S, one of the 50 we turned over to France. Alexis Puluhen commanded the sc. 2S. It was manned by French sailors. In storm on the night of January 16, 1918, it disappear ed. It's sister ships weathered the gale but it was missing when the sky cleared. On February Is, month and two days later, we heard from it at the | Azores, crew and commander safe and
 we'll
 Puluhen tells story of danger and hardship. Their engines broke down. Drifting helplessly in the white-capped
 sea they kept watch for some friendly craft Two steamers were sighted that same night and signaled. but to no avail The sc. 2S was leaking and the pumps had to be kept going constantly Next l day they saw the mast of vessel in the distance, and fired salvo, but the vessel fled.
 | They tried to start the engines, but had l no lubricatng oil They used all the salad oil and butter. It was no use. The dynamo had burned out. The radio would | not work. They took the boats linen | and made sales of it-a fore-and-aft mainsai, staysail and 'leg-of-mut- | ton sail at the small foremast. The crew was put on the smallest rations; drinking water was doled out. So. catch | ing a breeze, they sailed east. They were able to make about four miles an 1 hour.
 GETS HELP AT LAST They sailed for a month. They saw other ships. but no ship dared to let them get near. Doubtless they were feared as some new trick of the treacherous enemy. Soon after dawn on February IS Puiuhen sighted land. About noon he recognized it as Fayal, and hoisted the signal "YP"-"I need a tug" A tug came out and lowed him into Horta.
 The sc 2S. after undergoing repairs, took up its journey. and a little later, but far better late than never, assumed it's place with the other American-built cbasers patrolling the French coast. What better tribute could there be to the seaworthiness of these little boats, or the heroism and resource of the men who manned them?
 (Another article by former Secretary Daniels will be printed tomorrow.)