Papers of Cyril John Percy Hill - Part 4

H.M.S. " WEYMOUTH "
19th. November, 1917.
The following letter has been received by me from Admiral
Acton, Senior Naval Officer, Brindisi.
To the Senior British Naval Officer,
Brindisi. 17th. Nov: 1917.
Yesterday, on the occasion of the torpedoing of the Italian
Steamer "ORIONE" on passage from Valona to Brindisi, I had the
opportunity of appreciating the zeal and seamanlike qualities,
combined with the spirit of camaraderie of which the Australian
T.B.Ds. under your orders gave ample proof.
In expressing my grateful thanks for the prompt and effective
action rapidly executed by them, which has been reported by me
to H.E. The C-in-C of the Fleet - I beg you to warmly thank the
Senior Officer, Captains, Officers, and the brave crews of those
ships to whom I send my warm praise.
(Signed) A. ACTON.
Rear-Admiral,
Senior Naval Officer.
W.A.H. KELLY.
Commodore Commanding,
8th. Light Cruiser Squadron.

COPY.

Submitted,
Patrol Report of Australian T. B. Destroyers.
From 15th to 19th November.
Thursday, 15th. 11.30 a.m. -
"Parramatta". "Yarra", "Huon", and "Warrego", Patrol Destroyers.
Division patrolled together during the night.
Friday, l6th. A.M. -
After visiting Drifter line, detached "Huon" and "Warrego" to patrol
Western patrol area,"Parramatta" and "Yarra" patrolled Eastern area.
11.10 a.m. - Received "S.O.S" from Italian steamer "Orione", Latitude
40.28 N. Longitude 18.46 E. Proceeded to position at full speed.
Arrived at 0.20 p.m. "Yarra" circled convoy as ordered, "Huon" and
"Warrego", already arrived and taking off troops and crew,"Warrego",
alongside "Orione" but had to leave owing to ship working in the swell.
Ordered "Huon" to circle convoy: "Warrego" recovered her boats and
circled convoy. "Parramatta" examined ship which did not appear to be
making any water, rudder was gone and the explosion had torn away the
counter and upper works of the stern. Sent 1st Lieutenant and
Engineer-Officer, with a signalman, on board to examine and report.
Picked up remaining boats with the Master of Transport and members of
crew and some soldiers; several taken out of the water in last stages
of exhaustion.
1st Lieutenant reported ship making no water. Prevailed on Master to
return to ship and take his crew; a few went with him. Proceeded to
take ship in tow. At 1.0 p.m. observed track of a torpedo coming
straight for ship; passed under ship and must have passed ahead of
"Orione". Destroyers searched to N.E. with no result. At 1.15 p.m.
got hawsers on board and commenced towing; placed "Yarra" on starboard
quarter to steer ship, but Commanding Officer reported damage to his
ship through working in swell, and had to leave; "Yarra" took hawser
on board aft.
At 2.30., French Destroyers arrived and Commanding Officer sent onboard
and asked if he could assist; asked him to circle convoy; detached
"Warrego" to proceed to Brindisi with rescued. Hawsers parted twice
during the afternoon, the second time when we had managed to square
ship upon her course and were proceeding satisfactorily, which was
most unfortunate. But the difficulties of steering her were enhanced
by a large piece of rudder still remaining and jammed over hard a port.
Got a third hawser out and used "Parramatta" towing wire. Again got
ship in tow when "Yarra" parted hawser aft at 5 p.m. Hawsers all
parted due to chafe at tow astern which was considerable as ship was
yawing so badly, especially aft, where they caught on the jagged edges
of damaged plates. At 5.30, tug arrived and took ship in tow.
"Parramatta" had to slip as it was impossible to haul in the long
length of hawser out and necessary to clear tug, Officers and men had
worked like trojans all the afternoon, hauling in parted hawsers and
getting on board new ones; but Lieutenant Hill and Engineer-Lieutenant
Bridge with a few hands on board the "Orione" must have had a most
strenuous time.
At 6 p.m. transferred the rescued men that were on board "Parramatta'
to "Huon" and despatched her to Brindisi. At 6.40 p.m., ship being
well in the tow of tug, our services were no ,longer required, left
convoy with escort and returned with "Yarra" to carry on patrol.
Reported by W/T to "Etna" actions taken. The escort consisted of
Italian Torpedo Boats and one Torpedo Boat Destroyer, two French T.B.
Destroyers and a tug. The weather at the time was fine, with slight
northerly swell. As ship was going ahead at about 6 knots and everything
appeared satisfactory, I decided to leave my officers and signalman

- 2 -
on board, and told them to remain and rejoin me in "Huon" on patrol
on the following morning. At 9.30 p.m. wind started to freshen and
sea and swell increasing. 11.30 p.m. Weather continuing to get
worse, left patrol line with "Yarra" and proceeded to the northward
in case assistance was required. Informed S.N.O. Brindisi by W/T
of actions taken and reasons. Nothing sighted during the night,
wind increased to moderate gale with high seas.
Saturday 17th - Neither received or intercepted by W/T any reports
from escort. Daylight, sighted three destroyers, closed and found
they were part of escort. Asked where convoy was; replied they had
no news. Proceeded south at high speed before the sea to pick up
convoy, which appeared to have been left by escort.
8.30 p.m. Passed mine (horizontal bar type) delayed some time in
destroying same, being impossible to get ship steady in the seaway,
and mine only appearing occasionally on the crest of a wave. Proceeded
at 9.15; sighted ship right ahead at 10 p.m. Closed and found
"Orione" at anchor, 5 miles north of Otranto. A heavy swell running
in, but ship appeared to be lying quite confortably, and in exactly
the same state as when last seen.
Prepared to lower boat to take off crew, as signal still flying
"Require immediate assistance". No signs of life on board.At
10.45 a.m.. "Parramatta" and "Yarra" returned to patrol. At 3.30 p.m.
met Italian steamer "Flamingo" with one trawler escort. Escorted
her till dark.
Sunday 18th - Weather moderating, but still considerable swell.
Sighted Drifter line at 4 p.m. off Fano.
Monday, 19th - Sea increasing rapidly. Left patrol line at 7 a.m.,
sighted "Orione" some distance away, but still apparently at anchor.
Returned to Brindisi.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient servant,
COMMANDER "D"
AUSTRALIAN FLOTILLA.

COPY.

19th November, 1917.
Sir,
We have the honour to report that we were sent on board
the abandoned ship "Orione" at         p.m. on the 16th November. We
proceeded into after hold and examined the after hold and outer casing
of shaft, tunnelling and found ship making no water, also that watertight
bulk-head was intact.
2. We proceeded to the Engineroom where we found the watertight
door securely closed, the Engines did not appear in anyway damaged,
and the Dynamo was still running.
3. In the boiler-room the boilers were found short of water and
the fires were alight beneath them, although not burning fiercely.
4. We reported same to "Parramatta" by signal.
5. "Parramatta" then sent the Master of the "Orione", two deck-
officers, one engineer-officer, 8 seamen, 2 firemen, and Signalman
Varcoe from "Parramatta", on board. Lieutenant Hill, R.N. took
charge of deck operations and proceeded to pass one hawser out from
each bow to "Parramatta" for towing purposes, while Engineer-Lieutenant
Bridge had fires drawn from boilers.
6. We endeavoured to secure "Yarra" alongside, to aid steering,
but failed owing to the heavy sea, and so "Yarra" dropped astern and
took line from starboard quarter to assist steering.
7. Both "Parramatta's"and "Yarra's" towing hawsers parted twice,
Eventually a 10 inch hawser was got up from the main hatch and passed
to "Parramatta" who proceeded to tow. At 5 p.m., the Italian tug
"Marritimo" arrived and passed two 16 inch hawsers on board, one on
each bow, and proceeded to tow.
8. "Parramatta"'s tow rope was now slipped and ship proceeded
in tow of "Marritimo", whilst the Italian and French Torpedo Craft
encircled the convoy.
9. At 11 p.m, the weather became very bad and both "Marritimo"'s
tow ropes parted.
10. The port anchor was then let go with full scope of cable.
11. At daylight no vessels of any description were in sight and
the ship was then about 6 miles North of Otranto lighthouse and about
2½ miles from shore. A "Horizontal Bar" moored mine was observed on
the Starboard bow, which as the ship yawed to starboard, cleared the
bow by about six feet,
12. A signal of distress was then hoisted and a signal reporting
mines; the crew were employed in rigging rafts and preparing to
abandon ship if the mine should detonate, all the ship's boats having
been lost.
13. At 7 a.m, the Italian Torpedo Boat "P.O." hove in sight and
approached the ship to about ½ mile, then turned 16 points and
disappeared.
14. It was found impossible to slip the cable in order to clear

the mine, as the cable was secured and the kelson rusted in.
15. At about 8 a.m. the tug "Marritimo" approached the ship. We
endeavoured, by signs, and through the master of the "Orione" to get
her to sink the mine by gunfire, but this she was unwilling to do.
16. The Italian Captain and crew were very anxious to abandon the
ship and get on board the tug and hailed the tug to that effect,
The "Marritimo" took all inboard in her boat and as we thought that
we might persuade the Master of the tug to fire on the mine if we
boarded her we left the "Orione" after we had first seen all the
Italians safely on board the tug,
17. Our efforts to persuade the Master of the tug to fire on the
mine and remain by the "Orione" and put us on board again if the
mine proved faulty, were of no avail. The Master of the tug
proceeded to Castro.
18. At Castro, we reported on board the Italian T.B. "P.O." and
tried to get a W/T message through in code to the Commanding Officer
"Parramatta"; as no reply came to our message requesting instructions,
we proceeded on Sunday morning, 18th, to Brindisi, as best we could,
reporting on board "Swan" at 10.30 a.m.
We have the honour to be,
Sir
Your obedient Servants,
LIEUTENANT R.N.
ENGINEER-LIEUTENANT R.AN.

COPY

19th November, 1917.
Sir,
I have the honour to forward my report of proceedings with
"Warrego" in company after leaving "Parramatta" on the morning of
Friday, 16th November until I again met "Parramatta" in position
40.28.N, 18.46.E. where S.S. "Orione" was torpedoed.
Whilst patrolling Western area of Otranto Straits in
accordance with orders from Commander (D) "Parramatta" I received
an "S.O.S" signal at 11 .12 a.m. from S.S. "Orione" which was
shortly afterwards followed by an incomplete S.S.S.S. message, so
with "Warrego" proceeded at full speed to position given in first
message arriving near the "Orione" at about 11.50 a.m. I made a
signal as soon as within signalling distance of her to ask if she
was in danger of sinking and received no answer. She did not
appear to be in any danger and on nearer approach from leeward I
found there were 30 or 40 men in lifeboats and on rafts floating
about in the water. As they were a good way from the ship I came
to the conlcusion that they must have jumped overboardon the ship
being struck and had been in the water the best part of an hour,
I then lowered all boats and ordered "Warrego" to do the same and
confined my attention to picking up, from the ship, some of the
larger groups of survivors which I found a bigger task than I
anticipated owing to the larger number of them being quite unable
to hold on to the ropes end. After "Warrego" had dropped her boats
I told her to proceed alongside and ascertain "Orione's" danger of
sinking and take off superfluous passengers. Meanwhile I continued
to circle round the vessel with the only escort she appeared to have
viz., Italian Torpedo Boat No.33. Shortly afterwards an Italian
Destroyer N.L. arrived from the Southward while "Parramatta' and
"Yarra" were well in sight. On arrival of "Parramatta" I was
preparing to take "Orione" in tow but was ordered to keep under way
and circle position which I continued to do. I had just stopped
to recover whaler at about 1 p.m, when "Parramatta" hoisted
submarine flag. I immediately proceeded at full speed to the N.E.
from which direction the track of a Torpedo was distinctly visible,
but was unable to locate the submarine or position where track
started, owing to it being disturbed by the wash of destroyers
circling convoy. After dark I was ordered to close "Parramatta"
and take her remaining survivors to Brindisi. I consider the
Officers and Ships' Companies of both "Huon" and "Warrego” behaved
in a most praiseworthy manner in saving the half-drowned men in the
water, also the Captain of the "Warrego", Lieutenant E.N.Mortimer,
in taking his ship alongside "Orione" and taking off about 200
frightened human beings in a very short space of time and under
adverse conditions is deserving of great commendation,
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
(Sgd.) C.F.Stow.
Lieutenant Commander, R.N.

COPY.

20th November, 1917.
Sir,
I have the honour to submit attached reports, including those
from Lieutenant-Commander Stow, R.N. H.M.A.S. "Huon", Lieutenant
C.J.Hill, R.N. and Engineer-Lieutenant C. Bridge, R.A.N., H.M.A.S.
"Parramatta".
In submitting the attached reports of the incidents that
occurred on patrol between 15th and 18th November, incidents which,
although it is only the duty of the partrol to deal with, I would like
to place on record the manner in which all ranks and ratings worked
to attain our objects.
(1) to save the lives of the troops, passengers and crew that
were around, (2) to prevent the ship being again attacked and completely
destroyed, and (3) to salve the ship herself.
I would specially bring to your notice the names of the
following Officers and men :-
(1) Lieutenant C.J.Hill, R.N., for the manner in which he took
charge of abandoned transport "Orione" and handled the situation, and
to whose efforts I consider the eventual acnchoring of same transport
in a position where she can be salved, after being lost by escort, are
entirely due.
(2) Engineer-Lieutenant Bridge, R.A.N. for the able way he assisted
Lieutenant Hill, R.N.
(3) Mr. Jarrett, Gunner, R.A.N., (O.O.W) H.M.A.S. "Parramatta", who,
by capably handling the ship in heavy seaway on the morning of the
17th instant, undoubtedly saved her from striking a mine.
(4) Lieutenant-Commander Keightley, R.A.N. for the manner in which he
handled his ship and assisted to get ship "Orione" in tow.
(5) Lieutenant Mortimer, R.N. for the manner in which he handled his
ship putting her alongside torpedoed transport and embarking
a panic-stricken crew without losing any of them, his ship at the time
running considerable risk of being damaged or torpedoed.
(6) Signalman Varcoe, for the way he assisted onboard transport "Orione
at his own duties as signalman and with the hawsers, taking ship in
tow,
(7) Lieutenant A.J.Skehan, R.A.N.R., for the manner in which he
carried out his duties of 1st Lieutenant in the latter's absence, and
by personal efforts, managed to clear away hawsers remaining partially
immersed for some time to clear slip which had become strained in
towing.
(8) Lieutenant-Commander C. J. Stow, R.N. who by the rapidity with
which he brought his division to the scene of operations and handled
the situation until "Parramatta" arrived, saved a number of those who
had apparently jumped overboard directly ship was struck by torpedo.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your obedient servant,
COMMANDER "D"
AUSTRALIAN FLOTILLA.

-- DUPLICATE --
[*Commander (D)'s Copy*]
A.S.—546.
REFERENCE SHEET.

Information required, or notified.
DAMAGE SUSTAINED BY H.M.A.S. "YARRA", WHILST TOWING (ALONGSIDE)
S.S. "ORION" ON 16th NOVEMBER, 1917.
Submitted:--
A list showing the damage sustained by H.M.A.S.
"Yarra".
1.-- Stem piece bent from W.L. to about 2'-6" below W.L.--
"U" plate around stem piece sprung and rivets stretched,
and , in some cases, broken.
Plates in neighbourhood bent above cement, and Collision
Compartment rendered non-watertight.
2.-- Forecastle deck,fr angles connecting deck to top side
plates, top side plates, and frames, buckled, and rivets
sprung, at various places between the stem and the break
of the,forecastle deck, port side, as follows:--
(a).--Collision Compartment and Lamp Room--- No. 4 frame
badly bent at top, bulkhead buckled and split for a length
of about four inches, side plates bent and pierced in two
places. (This was done by the anchor).
(b).--Wardroom-- Top side plates slightly distorted, and
angle connecting side plates to forecastle deck, sprung
in two bays.
(c).--Gunner's Cabin--- Forecastle deck and top side plates
distorted, and angle connecting side plates to forecastle
deck badly sprung ion the inner edge in one bay.
(d).-- First Lieutenant's Cabin-- Plates buckled slightly,
and connecting angle sprung slightly.
(e).--Engineer's Cabin---Top Side plates buckled badly,
one gusset plate bent badly, connecting angle sprung badlly,
on inner edge for a length extending over three bays,
scuttle ring sprung and bent so that scuttle leaks and
deadlight will not close. Frames and forecastle deck buckled
slightly.
3.--Boat's davits (Port)-- bent, and fittings on davits damaged
S. Keightley
Lieutenant Commander
R.A.N.

FROM THE COMMODORE COMMANDING BRITISH ADRIATIC FORCE.
TO:— COMMANDER (D)
DATE:— 2nd December, 1917
NO:— S.M.1.
SUBJECT:—
I wish to commend the officers concerned on the
action taken by them on Sunday 25th November on the receipt
of the message reporting the presence of the enemy submarine
15 miles W.N.W of Fano.
The Commander of the Barrage, who was in personal
of the Submarine Hunt, informs me that the action
taken by H.M.A.S.Destroyers was in every way what was desired,
and showed tactical discrimination.
AW Heneage
COMMODORE COMMANDING
BRITISH ADRIATIC FORCE.
Commanding Officers.
HMA. TBDs.
Note & Return
Noted
Swan - ArthurB
Huon - CFS
Yarra - [[SK?]]
Warrego - ENM
Note & Forward
Arthur Bond
Commander
2nd [[Mission?]]

Copy.
CONFIDENTIAL.
M.81050
Admiralty.
19th December 1917.
Sir,
With reference to your submission 308/2090/24
of the 3rd instant, relative to the assistance rendered to
the torpedoed Italian S.S. "Orione" on the 16th November by
H.M. Australian Destroyers "Paramatta". "Warrego", "Huon"
and "Yarra", I am commanded by My Lords Commissioners of the
Admiralty to request that you will convey an expression of
their appreciation of the fine work done to
Commander William H.F. Warren, R.A.N.,
H.M.A.S. "Paramatta",
Commanding the Flotilla.
Lieutenant Edward N. Mortimer, R.A.N.,
H.M.A.S. "Warrego".
Lieutenant Cyril J.P. Hill, R.N.,
H.M.A.S. "Paramatta" and
Engineer Lieutenant Clarence Bridge, R.A.N.,
H.M.A.S. "Paramatta"
in particular, and to the remaining Officers and Men of
H.M.A. Destroyers "Paramatta", "Warrego", "Huon" and
"Yarra" in general.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
(Signed) O. Murray.
The Commander-in-Chief,
H.M. Ships and Vessels,
Mediterranean.
II.
No.2090/24.
The Commodore Commanding
British Adriatic Force.
For information, with reference to your minute
dated the 24th November, 1917, No.B.54, and to inform
Commander Warren and the other Officers and men concerned
accordingly.
A. Calthorpe
Vice-Admiral.
British Commander-in-Chief.
2nd January 1918.
[*COMMODORE COMMANDING
[[?]]. 214 [[?]] 405
1 JAN 1918
8th LIGHT CRUISER SQUADRON
[[AWH?]]*]
[*COMMODORE COMMANDING
6 JAN 1918 [[?]]
B/54*]
BRITISH ADRIATIC FORCE
[*u
NoB/54.
"Parramatta"
thro CC8[[?]] CS*]