Page 18 - Contrast1958Winterv2n1

Poor visibility screened the enemy's attack maneuver, so that the next
move was not at once perceived by the personnel on the bridge.

On the bridge now were Commander Flemington, Lt. Darwin, the
assistant O.O.D., the quartermaster, and a lookout. The range was
too short to allow the firing of the "tin-fish," and from the bridge
Flemington gave the order to change the present course. A second
later the collision alarm was sounded. Then the submarine crashed
into the gunboat head-on at 15 knots. The impact was terrific. Every
man within the submarine was thrown off his feet. The submarine
heeled over, and the gunboat opened fire at point blank range. Kill-
ed instantly was the assistant officerof the deck. Flemington, wound-
ed, had gone over the side and was seen floating nearby in the dark
green sea. Gunfire continued to blaze away through the night, whin-
ing off the conning tower.

Lt. Darwin started to strip his heavy clothes off to dive in for the
skipper, when through the roar of the sea and the blasting of the guns,
the skipper's voice rang clear.

"Clear the bridge!"

Those on deck started to leap for the ladder. Darwin alone re-
mained looking out into the night at his skipper. Then came another
sharp order from Flemington.

"Take her down!"

Darwin took one last glance and leaped for the forward ladder.
The men inside hesitated. Seconds ticked by and the Commander did
not appear. Another wave of gun fire swept the submarine's super-
structure above as Lt. Darwin came down the ladder.

"Take her down!" Darwin shouted.
They closed the hatch and took her down. The men looked up
at Darwin, who was still clutching the ladder with an iron grip that
made his knuckles white. They all had an angry look in their faces
as the Lieutenant wheeled around to meet their gaze. With eyes steel
blue and determined of purpose he stared at them and said:
"It had to be done to keep intact the safety of this submarine and
crew, in order to fulfill its mission. I know what you all thought of
the captain." Then in the quiet hush of the compartment, Lt. Dar-
win again looked at the men through eyes that were starting to be
tear-filled, and said in a soft, proud voice, "He was also my father,"

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