Submarine Bettered in Battle With American Vessel
Washington, Oct. 23.—Coolness and quick maneuvering by Commander Walter H. Vernon saved the American destroyer Cassin from possible destruction in an encounter with a German submarine in the war zone on October 16, the Navy department was advised yesterday by Vice-Admiral Sims in his full report of the fight. Meagre details of the incident were received last week, but the destroyer’s name was withheld until yesterday.
Before she had an opportunity to fire a shot, the destroyer was hit on the stern by a torpedo, which killed Gunner’s Mate Osmond Kelly Ingram, slightly wounded five others of the crew, and put one engine out of commission.
The Cassin had been searching half an hour for a submarine first sighted five miles away when Commander Vernon suddenly saw a torpedo 400 yards distant and making for the ship at great speed. He ordered full speed ahead and the wheel hard over. The patrol boat was just clear of the torpedo’s path when the projectile broached on the surface, turned sharply, and hit its objective.
Admiral Sims reported that the behavior of the officers and the entire crew was admirable. He gave special credit to Commander Vernon. Many of the ship’s enlisted personnel also were cited by the admiral for coolness and qualities of leadership.
The Announcement
The Navy department’s announcement was as follows:
”The destroyer recently mentioned in dispatches made pubic as being injured by a torpedo was the U. S. S. Cassin, commanded by Commander W. N. Vernon; executive officer, Lieutenant J. W. MacLaran; junior officers, Lieutenant J. A. Saunders, Lieutenant L. R. Agrell, Lieutenant R. M. Parkinson and Assistant Surgeon D. W. Queen.
“While this vessel was on her patrol station a submarine was sighted on the surface at about five miles distant. The Cassin immediately proceeded at full speed toward the submarine with her crew at their battle stations. She searched the area for about thirty minutes, zig-zagging back and forth, when the commanding officer, Commander Vernon, sighted a torpedo running at high speed near the surface, about 4 00 yards away, headed to strike the Cassin amidship.
“Realizing the situation, the commanding officer rang for emergency full speed ahead on both engines, put the rudder hard over, and was just clear of the torpedo’s course when it broached on the surface, turned sharply toward the vessel, and struck the stern of the Cassin.
“Fortunately only one engine was disabled, thereby permitting the destroyer to remain under way, circling in search of the submarine. After about an hour the submarine exposed its coning tower long enough for the Cassin to fire four shots. Two of the shots fell so close to the submarine that it was forced to submerge immediately and was not seen again. The Cassin continued to search until dark when, having been joined by other British and American patrol vessels, she was taken safely into port.
“Vice Admiral Sims states that the behavior of the officers and the entire crew was admirable. There was no excitement on board; the men remaining quietly at their battle stations throughout the flight except when called to other duties. He commends the British navy for the prompt action, which probably saved the Cassin from total loss. He also commends Lieutenants MacLaran, Saunders, and Parkinson for their ingenuity in effecting temporary repairs, and for their coolness and efficient work.
“The following men were cited by Vice Admiral Sims for showing coolness and qualities of leadership:
Hoffman, George, quartermaster; father, Peter Hoffman, 541 East Eighty-fourth street. New York.
Werchbrodt, Edward Henry, machinist’s mate; wife, Netta Werchbrodt, 32 Church street, Newport, R. I.
Heath, William Arey, blacksmith: wife, Phoebe P. Heath, Norfolk County, Va.
Gordon, John, boilermaker; father, Joseph Gordon, 253 Fifty-fifth street, Brooklyn, N. Y.
Peterman, Walter George, electrician; father, Frank Peterman, Brooklyn, N. Y.
Connolly, James Thomas, yeoman; father, James T. Connolly, 815 Forty second street, Brooklyn, N. Y.
Miller, Hans Otto Lawrence, seaman; father, Francis Julius Miller, 1,203 Conrad street, Wilmington, Del.
Davis, John Leo, seaman; mother, Elizabeth Dunne, 816 Jackson avenue, New Orleans.
Marray, Dennis, seaman; mother, Mary Marray, 2,437 Maclay avenue, New York.
Klein, George Frank, chief pharmacy mate; sister, Ann Taylor, 702 Potomac avenue, Buffalo, N. Y.
Shuey, Ralph Waldo Emerson, yeoman; father, William H. Shuey, 816 Edgar avenue, Effingham, Ill.
McCann, John Erwin, chief water tender; mother, Mary McCann, Sanburn, N. Y.
Murphy, William Joseph, chief electrician; wife, Mrs. Mabel Mary Murphy, 378 Thirty-fifth street, Brooklyn, N. Y.
Robbins, Walter, chief machinist’s mate; father, John R. Robbins, Rocky Hill, Conn.
Fisher, Frank Ruell, chief machinist’s mate; mother, Bernlce Fisher, Eagan, Texas.
Stawitski, John Frederick, chief gunner’s mate; father, Frank Stawlizki, 133 Reed street, Buffalo, N. Y.
Oehl, Alfred Henry, boatswain’s mate; father, Rudolph Oehl, 289 Barrow street, Jersey City, N. J.
Owens, Rufus Wallace, chief boatswain’s mate; wife, Ellen Owens, 205 West Trade street, Charlotte, N. C.
Bratton, M. Gans, chief carpenter’s mate; father, John C. Bratton, Banks, Ark.
Leonhardt, E. F., gunner’s mate; father, Martin Leonhardt, Ninety-second street and Dahlgren Place, Brooklyn, N. Y.
Eller, R. C., chief quartermaster; wife, Sally Eller, 175 Waverly avenue, Brooklyn, N. Y.
Cunningham, William Joseph, coxswain; mother, Jessie M. Cunningham, 6,103 Carnegie avenue, Cleveland, O.
New Britain Herald, New Britain, CT October 23, 1917
