Evening star., 1942-03-16
Heavy Seas Coated Waters Increased Truxun Death TOLL
Only Surviving Officer Says, Proising Mems Heroism

An account by Ensign William j
Maddocks, the only surviving OFF,
GERS of the destruction Of the de-
stroyer Truxtun in winter gale
off the Newfoundland coast Febru-
ary 13, disclosed yesterday that many
of those lost were swept to sea by
high waves as the ship lay on reef
within go yards of the shore.
The 23-year-old ensign's official
report, released by the Navy, said,
too, that swimmers in the terrific
seas were handicapped by the heavy
coating of oil on the water.
Most of the people in the water
were caught in this tar-like cover
ing" he said, land swalled much
of it, and this, combined with the
paralyzing cold, the difficult landing
point, the strong backwash from the
shore and their general condition OF
exhaustion accounted for so few peo-
pie making the beach :" -"
Two Ships Break Up.
The 1,200-ton TruXtun and an
Army cargo vessel, the Pollux, both
went aground and broke up in the
gale with the loss Of l89 officers and
men. OF these, seven officers and
80 men were from the Truxtun.
Ensign Maddocks said the conduct
of officers and men could not have
been surpassed even under less
hazardous circumstances" and sin
gled out for special mention seven
officers and men, four of whom were
lost.
1t. Condr. Ralph Hickox Of
Washington, the commanding ofticer
who went down with his ship, was
cited "for his GOODNESS and splendid
example under the most difficult
circumstances" Ensign Maddocks
said ''he stayed on the bridge until
washed of by the sea and never
once betrayed the least anxiety or
fear"
Other Men Commended.
The others were:
1t. Arthur L. Newman, Seneca
Falls, N. Y, "for his prompt action
and accurate estimate of the sit
uation when grounding was tmmi-
nent." He was killed.
Harry M. Egner, Panama City,
Fla, boatswain's mate, and James
Fex, seaman, second class, who
padded the first raft ashore with
line which was instrumental in the
saving Of most of the survivors.
Walter w. Brom. Brooklyn, N. Y,
signalman, first class, who kept in
communication with signalman on
the beach by exposing himself to
the heavy seas for long periods with
out regard to his safety or physical
discomfort. He was killed.
Edward L. Bergeron, Cambridge,
Mass, apprentice seaman, who
climbed the cliffs after making the
beach and ran approximately 2
miles to q nearby mine camp to get
help.
Ensign Howard w. Taylor, U. S.
N. r., Kenosha, Wis, who lost his
life in attempting to save man in
the water
Edward B. Peterson, New York
City chief fire controlman, for the
initiative and tireless energy he dis
played in aiding and organizing the
survivors who made the beach.
Ordered to Bring Blankets.
Ensign Maddocks' report read:
"All hands were ordered to bring
their blankets on deck in case they
should be needed on the beach. An
attempt was made to lower the
whaleboat, but the foreward guy
carried away, and, due to the heavy
lurching and pounding of the ship,
plus a port list, the whaleboat was
badly smashed up and and, upon
finally being dropped in the water,
she sank
This continual pounding of the
ship against the rocks smashed in
the port side of the hull, and the
after f1reroom soon started to take
water. Keel plates in the after en-
CINE room started to buckle and
in a short time she was taking so
much water that the after engine
room had to be abandoned. The
forward engine room was still dry,
and the generators running nor
mally.
''The gig was lowered to the port
rail, but, as the rocks were close by,
1t was thought best to leave her at
the rail for the time being. All the
life rafts were then put into the
water, and an effort was made to
move them around to the port bow.
No. raft was lost while moving
it around the stern, and no attempt
was made to move No. 4 around the
stern so that it could be brought up
to the port bow.
Engine, Fire Rooms Flooded.
"At daybreak the ship was pound
ing more violently; the after living
quarters, after engine room and
after flreroom were flooded.
''It was seen now that the nearest
land was about go yards away on
the port beam, but definitely not
suited to make landing. A small
beach could be seen on the port
bow, distant about $50 yards. AL
the 3-inch manila line and wire
cable on board was run out on the
forecastle and enough Of it to reach
the beach tied together. Two men
in a life raft padded to the beach
carrying the end of a heaving line.
Upon reaching the beach they pulled
the 3-inch line over and made it
fast. Two more life RATS were
manned with approximately six
men each and they pulled them
selves to the beach via the 3-inch
line. A fourth raft took another
line to the beach to be used in pull
ing the RATS back. While pulling
the rafts back they fouled the 3-incf