Cinderellas of the fleet . he Adriatic. It was for these reasons that the Allied forceswere bombarding the town and whatever ships might be lying in theroadstead. After demolishing the place troops were to be landed andthe country occupied. No doubt if the war had continued Durazzowould have been used as an Allied base for operations from the landupon Cattaro and other enemy ports. The Italian and British cruisers were to leave Brindisi at 7 a. make a speed of 18 knots to Durazzo—a distance of 60 averaged 10 knots and timed our departure so as to arrive offthe Albanian coast at
Cinderellas of the fleet . he Adriatic. It was for these reasons that the Allied forceswere bombarding the town and whatever ships might be lying in theroadstead. After demolishing the place troops were to be landed andthe country occupied. No doubt if the war had continued Durazzowould have been used as an Allied base for operations from the landupon Cattaro and other enemy ports. The Italian and British cruisers were to leave Brindisi at 7 a. make a speed of 18 knots to Durazzo—a distance of 60 averaged 10 knots and timed our departure so as to arrive offthe Albanian coast at the same time as the Allied ships. Down inour hearts we were hoping for a little fun all alone before the bigboys arrived. About 9 :30 the dim outlines of the rugged Albanian coast hoveinto view. On we eleven Chasers came nearing the coast at everyturn of the propellers. It more than once crossed my mind what theAustrians said when they saw eleven little American ensigns snapping THE ciXDERELLAS OK Till-: :i:r 111 4. P!iot:irai-li by courtesy of Ensign Alfred Loomis, Lieut. Jacoby takes a sight from the bridge of the 129—note the gold star above the crows nest awarded for sinking a sub at the battle of Durazzo. Jacoby has been awarded the Navv Cross. 112 THE CINDERELLAS OF THE FLEET in the breeze and boldly approaching the coast. Perhaps they laughedat our size, but I am inclined to think that our presence cast a de-cidedly dark cloud across their hopes. We were within five miles of the coast when a smudge on thehorizon indicated the big ships. The signal was hoisted to take as-signed positions. My position was last boat in a unit of three Chasersassigned as a screen to the British light cruisers, when they roundedtheir turning point ofif Cape Pali preparatory to coming into thebombarding sector. Cape Pali is the northern cape at the entrance tothe harbor of Durazzo, as you will see from the diagram. Our unit was known as Unit B and was commanded by
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