Posted inMaritime & Naval History Ship Histories World War 1

Cassin, in Fight, Fought Off Boat

Submarine Bettered in Battle With American Vessel

Damage to USS CASSIN, torpedoed on 15 October 1917, by German submarine U-61. Photographed while under repair in England.
Damage to USS CASSIN, torpedoed on 15 October 1917, by German submarine U-61. Photographed while under repair in England.

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.

Posted inShip Histories

Dreadnaught Leaves Ways

HMS Dreadnaught underway, 1906

Event That May Mark New Era in Naval Construction.

Portsmouth, England, Feb. 10.—An immense throng, including many prominent and distinguished persons, witnessed the launching of England’s latest contribution to the world’s fighting ships, the Dreadnaught.

The launch of the Dreadnaught, the largest and most powerful battleship of the world’s navies, marks the first stage in what the British admiralty claim as the greatest achievement in naval construction. October 2, 1905, only a few days over four months ago, work was commenced at Portsmouth on the vessel, the first of what is to be known as the Dreadnaught class. The promise was made then that she would be launched with in six months. The admiralty have more than made good their boast and Britishers have another cause of pride in their navy. Another 12 months, all going well, the Dreadnaught will be commissioned and join the Atlantic fleet, thus beating all previous records in battleship building by six months.

There are two reasons why work is being rushed on the Dreadnaught. One is the great saving in cost, but the chief reason is that the ship is to some extent an experiment and it is desired to give her a good trial before commencing construction on any more or her class.