The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-05-12

any purpose forbidden
 Making it's way across the North At- lantic, convoy of troop ships was still nearly 500 miles from land when Hedging army officer who was making his first trip across remarked: All you can hear about nowadays is the navy; the navy this, the navy that; but as far as l can see. the navy is not doing much in this war"
 One of the civilians in the party rose to his feet, pulled out his watch and said: Tn 10 minutes six United States oestroyers will meet this convoy.''
 What are you talking about" said the officer; "how do you know?"
 Well" returned the civilian, "it is now 4:05 o'clock. The destroyers are or- dered to meet this convoy at 4:15 p. m, and they will be here''
 The party went out on deck to watch. and to the minute at 4:15, there hove in sight six destroyers. Swinging into line on each side of the convoy, the saucy little vessels heaving foam and spray from bow to stern, spanked along through the heavy seas.
 Good heavens" exclaimed the officer 'if these little destroyers can come 800 miles to sea in any kind of weather, keep their schedule and locate a convoy on the dot I will believe anything l hear regarding the navy.'
 BACKBONE OF CONVOY SYSTEM
 That story was told me by a man who was on that transport, and nothing could better illustrate the efficiency of these splendid greyhounds of the sea. They went out and stayed out in all kinds of weather, performing their duties in sun and storm, guarding troop ships and cargo transports, liners and merchant vessels-keepng open the sea lanes for the flow of troops, munitions and com merce. They were the backbone of the convoy system, for they were the escort through the danger zone.
 Tn deadliest foe of the submarine the very presence of destroyers was usually sufficient cause for the U-boat to sub merge and scurry away. For every sub marine encounter there were a score of submarine avoidances. Yet our destroy CTS in European waters were credited with 25s attacks on U-boats, and there were not a few exciting encounters.
 In all the annals of the war there is TO more striking example of prompt ac- t.on and quick results than that of the Tanning and Nicholson on November IT,, 1917
 These destroyers were escorting con- voy in British waters when at 40 p. m Coxswan Loomis, lookout on the Fan ming, caught the glint of a periscope It was finger periscope, tiny thlng only an inch and half in diameter, no larger than walking stick It was llfted TOT only a few seconds, but the keen eyes or IIoomis caught a glimpse of it. and he estimated it's distance and location-thres points on the port bow, 400 yards dis tant. moving across the bow at two knots speed
 The Tanning headed for the spot, full speed, and as it crossed the course dropped depth bomb. The Nicholson changed course and was dashing across 10 drop another charge when the coming tower of the submarine appeared The Nicholson headed for the submarine full speed and the Tanning turned in her wake to attack. The Nicholson dropped 9 depth charge alongside the U-boat ana turned firing from her stern gun. The subs bow came up rapidly She seemed to be down by the stern and was evil dently damaged but tried to right her self and increased her speed AS the Nicholson cleared the Tanning opened fire with her bow gun. At the tniru shot the German crew came on deck ana held I'D their hands. At 4:2S o'clock the e,,h,na rine surrendered It had been only 1S minutes since Loomis had sighted ner SCUTTLE SURRENDERED BOAT
 The destroyers got line to the cr1p- pied craft preparing to take 1t In tow But two of her crew disappeared Tor moment They scuttled the boat. AS if sank. the Germans jumped into the water and swan for the Tanning. Heaving lines were thrown to them, and all but one managed to get aboard. When 1t was seen that he was sink ing, two of the Earnings men. Chief Pharmacists Mate Elzer Harwell and Coxswa1n Francis G. Connor jumped overheard to rescue him. They got him aboard the Tanning. but in spite of all efforts to rescuscitate him he died
 The Germans were given hot coffee, sandwiches and cigarettes. Men Of the Tanning loaned their warm cloth ing, and no prisoners were ever better treated. When they were in the boats