The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-10-31
CASUALTIES ARE UNKNOWN


 The fact that the Reuben James was convoy duty led to the suppostion that several ships n the vicinity This might make possible the of at least some of the But direct torpedo hit thin-sknned ship like destroyer is almost certain to cause casualties under usual circumstances.
 Announcement of the sinking followed by few hours German communique from Berlin saying that a destroyer had been sunk recently at some undis. closed place. That Berlin did not give the nationality of the destroyer.
 LIKE DESTROYERS GIVEN AWAY
 The Reuben James was of the type of the 50 over age desroyers that traded to Britain foi Atlantic bases. With four stacks and low decks she would present the same silhouette Completed in 1920, she was 1,193-ton fighting ship armed with four fournch guns and anti-aircraft weapons Lieut. Cmdr. H. L. Edwards, 35, was in command of the Reuben James.
 NEAR WHERE KEARNY WAS HIT
 The navy did not specify the scene of the sink. ing except that it was "west of Iceland"
 That position placed it in the same general area as the German attack on the U. s. s. Kearny, new destroyer that was torpedoed and severely damaged Oct. 17 with loss of II of her It also was il that that the destroyer U. 5. s. Greer had al engagement with submarine Sept. in whicE both sides missed.
 The Kearny, although virtually cut in. two and her forward boiler room blown open succeeded iD making 400 miles to port.
 Official Announcement
 The Navy Department announced today that the U. Destroyer Rueben James opedoed and sunk last night west of Iceland and while convoy duty. The Navys announcement said that there further details at this time It did not know how many, any, casualties there It the first American warshp to be sunk since President Roosevelt ordered the Navy to hoo sight, any Axis raiders entering United States defensive The Reuben James, old type flush deck destroyer commanded by Lieutenant Commander H. L. Edwards
 Text of Announcement
 The text of the Navy'S announcement said:
 "The Navy Department announced that the D. s. Destroyer Reuben James sunk by torpedo during the night of October 3031 while conveying in the North Atlantic north of Iceland.
 '"The commanding officer is Lieutenant Commandel H. L. Edwards, U s. Navy.
 "o further details available at this time, but will be released when received"
 Launched April 10, 1919
 The Reuben James launched on April 10, 1913 and was completed September 24, 1920. vessel of 193 tons it armed with four fve-inch guns and 12 torpedo tubes of 2 inches The ship capable of speed of 35 knots Its normal compliment 122 officers and men, It the third American destroyer however to be fired upon by submarines in the North Atlantic. The ine fired upon September but the torpedoes missed
 On the night of October 1917, the U. S S. Kearny 1730ton destroyer torpedoed and severely dam aged by German submarine with the loss of II lives The Kearny despite hole in the starboard sde able to limp 400 miles into port This attack occurred when the Kerny left its convoy to go to the aid of another convoy that being attacked by several German U-Boats The Kearny dropped depth bombs, and aIter ward the UBoat fired three orpedoes Of them hitting
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