The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-05-29
Ex-Lowyer Ship Hero

 destroyer battled a Nazi sub marine to death in the Atlantic in the closest naval combat in modern warfare, it was disclosed today.
 The victorious featherweight of the fleet was the gallant little Hingham-built U. s. s. Buckley, skippered by Lieutenant Comman- der Brent M Abel, a former New York lawyer who directed the fur ious 16-minute engagement.
 It was plane from the aircraft Carrier Block Island - later sunk that spotted the German submarine early on the morning of May 6, 1914 The U-boat cast black shadow on the moonlit surface of the sea.
 Within five minutes, the Buckley was speeding to the spot.
 AS she drew within range, the little DE fired salvo from her 3-inch guns and scored direct hit There was 8 glow in the coming tower of the U-boat, but the U. S. vessel continued to pour fire on the submarine.
 In an effort 10 escape, the Nazi vessel twisted and turned, her crew meanwhile pumping shots from deck and machine guns These were virtually ineffective since the Buck ley was hit but once.
 Vainly the submarine tried to widen the distance and work her way out of the moons bright path. She spewed out several torpedoes but they were wide and still the Buckley came on seeking to ram and sink the submarine.
 Is was then that the battle became hand-to-hand con- f1ict reminiscent of the days of wooden ships and iron men.
 Commander Abel rode his ship up on to the forecastle of the sub marine. Immediately the NaAs abandoned their deck guns and sought to chamber up the sides of the American vessel.
 American sailors killed several of the invaders as their heads appeared above the rail. Two Germans were bowled over with coffee mugs that were hastily snatched from the gall ley. Other boarderS were repelled with shell cases since the fighting was so close that guns could not be brought to bear on the Germans.
 Finally, as the fighting became more fierce and boarders seemed about to surmount the Buckley s rail, Comdr. Abel ordered his ship backed of the U-boat.
 Immediately, the submarine at tempted to flee under it's own power but the Buckleys guns opened fire and the ships drew together again.
 Either by intent or because it was out of control the submarine swerved against the Buckley's hull and rolled to 8 6O-degree angle.
 Within the coming tower there was . mass of cherry-red flames Those on the deck of the American vessel tossed in hand grenades to add to the sharnbles beneath the submarines deck.
 Slowly the submarine drifted aft scraping the destroyer-escorts hull Again she was free and attempting to scurry away at about 15 knots.
 AS the water between the vessel widened, the Buckley again opened fire with her 3-inch pieces anc scored three direct hits. The sub marine plunged beneath the sur face-her diesels roaring at ful speed.
 But there was no escape. The coming tower hatch was open and spouting flames and the forward deck hatch was open. Scarcely had the U-boat gone beneath the sea's surface than there was heavy ex- plosion, followed by several lesser ones.
 Badly battered, the Buckley counted only single casualty Carpenters Mate sc E. L. Hiott o. Charleston, s. C., whose hand was bruised when he belted one of the German board party of the Buck ley's rail with lusty right hook.
 In addition, the Buckley had five German prisoners, one of whom was forced to surrender to Gunner! Mate sc Edward B. Finch of Wash ingtop> D. C.. whose sole weapon was a hammer.
 Under her own power, the Buck ley proceeded to Boston for repairs
 The battle occurred on the 2Sth birthday of Cmdr. Abel who now is teaching at the University Of Min nesota.