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USN subcahser SC 272 at anchor at Passage East circa 1918 with thanks to Paul O ‘Farrell |
World War one was a bloody and brutal conflict, but I was generally unaware until recent years of its proximity to us here in Waterford. The southern approach to England was of course just off the Waterford coast and was known as one of the “killing lanes” by the German Navy. Having traveled the relative safety of a broad Atlantic, as allied or neutral ships approached the continent they faced the narrow access channels to English ports.
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USS Cassin at Queenstown (now Cobh) Co Cork accessed from http://destroyerhistory.org/early/usscassin/ |
Such work naturally gave rise to many run ins and close calls. One such events was the attack on the USS Cassin. The Cassin was on patrol off Mine Head in Co Waterford on 15th October 1917 when she spotted a U boat running on the surface and engaged her. When a torpedo was spotted running towards the ship, Gunners Mate Osmond Kelly Ingram realised that given the track of the torpedo, that it was liable to strike the depth charges on the stern of his ship. If that occurred the whole ship would probably explode. Consequently he raced aft and facing certain death, he proceeded to release the ordnance into the sea. As he worked the torpedo struck and in the ensuing explosion he was blown overboard, his body never retrieved. Despite his efforts almost thirty feet was blown from the stern of the ship and 9 crew were injured. The ship however remained afloat, and without a rudder drifted helplessly in a SW gale up the Waterford coast towards the rocks of Hook head.
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Osmond Kelly Ingram accessed from http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/255.htm |
With their communications down and their vessel barely afloat the Cassin crew worked to raise the alarm and a makeshift antennae was mounted and a SOS sent. The first ship to assist was the USS Porter, joined later by the British ships HMS Jessamine and HMS Tamarisk. The Cassin at this stage was dangerously close to the rocks of Hook head and with a gale blowing, a direct rescue attempt was deemed impossible. Tow lines were cast but could not reach.
Eventually an Australian volunteer aboard HMS Tamarisk, was sent off in a ships boat with a tow line attached and in total darkness and heavy seas managed to reach the Cassin. The tow line secured, she was pulled away from the rocks. Following refurbishment she eventually returned to service.
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The damaged section of the USS Cassin accessed from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Cassin_(DD-43) |
As far as I am aware Ingram was the first enlisted American sailor to die in the war, giving us a distinction that we probably do not want. But for his selfless efforts, Osmond Ingram was awarded the Medal of Honour and was the first ever enlisted man to have a naval ship named after him: USS Osmond Ingram.
Much of the specifics of the USS Cassin story were taken directly from:
Nolan et al. Secret Victory. Ireland and the War at Sea 1914-18. 2009. Mercier press.Cork
Fantastic tale. Thanks for telling.
Yes Kev, different times, hard times, tough men!
Great story, thanks for that.
Thanks Bob, appreciate the feedback