Lieutenant Frank Bruce U.S.N
Inverness Courier - Friday 31 October 1919
SWEEPIXG UP THE MINES STORIES OF THE AMERICANS IN THE NORTH SEA.
The smaller craft of the United States Navy, which remained in British waters to help to sweep up the minefield's, have left our ports for Brest, where they are preparing for the Atlantic crossing. By the completion of their task these month they claim to have accomplished in one seasons work which was expected to occupy two years, The Americans made their base at Kirkwall, and employed over 80 vessels, including 36 swecpers, 24 submarine chasers, 20 trawlers, 2 repair ships, 2 oil fuel ships, gasoline fuel ship, and water tanks, and their crews numbered in all over 4000 men. They swept up something like 21,000 mines. Out of the thirty odd sweepers, only four vessels escaped damage which necessitated repair. During one operation a mine became fouled by the bobolink. Lieutenant Bruce went aft and attempted to secure the kite. He ordered all the crew forward to a place of safety. No sooner had they got there, when the mine, which was only a few yards astern, exploded. Lieut. Bruce was killed, and two assistants were blown 100 ft. from the ship into the water. They were rescued. A similar accident befell the Patuxent, Lieutenant Horner being injured. Then there was the case of the Richard Bulkeley, which sighted a fouled mine when the steel hawser was being hauled in. Before the wire could be paid out again the mine exploded. The ship at once began to sink by the stern, and although sister ships steamed hard to her assistance she sank before she could be reached. Commander King, who was in command of all the trawlers, was lost together with six men. At the time of the accident he was on the bridge, and although he could not swim he threw his lifebelt to someone else, and went down with the ship. One of the new destroyers was named after the gallant commander. Soon after this the Pelican had a mine explode directly beneath her. Listing sharply she began to go down. Fortunately some of her watertight bulkheads held, and five other sweepers got to her. Captain Bulmer, detachment commander, was in the Auk at the time, and he ordered that vessel and the Ida alongside the Pelcan, The Pelican was swung on wires and made fast between them, and a towing rope attached from the Test. A volunteer crew was asked for, and scores wanted the job of remaining on board the Pelican, which might sink at any moment. Yet in the most anxious moments this crew were gaily singing, “Hail, hail, the gangs all here.” But she did not sink and was safely towed first to Scapa and subsequently to the Tyne for repair.
SWEEPIXG UP THE MINES STORIES OF THE AMERICANS IN THE NORTH SEA.
The smaller craft of the United States Navy, which remained in British waters to help to sweep up the minefield's, have left our ports for Brest, where they are preparing for the Atlantic crossing. By the completion of their task these month they claim to have accomplished in one seasons work which was expected to occupy two years, The Americans made their base at Kirkwall, and employed over 80 vessels, including 36 swecpers, 24 submarine chasers, 20 trawlers, 2 repair ships, 2 oil fuel ships, gasoline fuel ship, and water tanks, and their crews numbered in all over 4000 men. They swept up something like 21,000 mines. Out of the thirty odd sweepers, only four vessels escaped damage which necessitated repair. During one operation a mine became fouled by the bobolink. Lieutenant Bruce went aft and attempted to secure the kite. He ordered all the crew forward to a place of safety. No sooner had they got there, when the mine, which was only a few yards astern, exploded. Lieut. Bruce was killed, and two assistants were blown 100 ft. from the ship into the water. They were rescued. A similar accident befell the Patuxent, Lieutenant Horner being injured. Then there was the case of the Richard Bulkeley, which sighted a fouled mine when the steel hawser was being hauled in. Before the wire could be paid out again the mine exploded. The ship at once began to sink by the stern, and although sister ships steamed hard to her assistance she sank before she could be reached. Commander King, who was in command of all the trawlers, was lost together with six men. At the time of the accident he was on the bridge, and although he could not swim he threw his lifebelt to someone else, and went down with the ship. One of the new destroyers was named after the gallant commander. Soon after this the Pelican had a mine explode directly beneath her. Listing sharply she began to go down. Fortunately some of her watertight bulkheads held, and five other sweepers got to her. Captain Bulmer, detachment commander, was in the Auk at the time, and he ordered that vessel and the Ida alongside the Pelcan, The Pelican was swung on wires and made fast between them, and a towing rope attached from the Test. A volunteer crew was asked for, and scores wanted the job of remaining on board the Pelican, which might sink at any moment. Yet in the most anxious moments this crew were gaily singing, “Hail, hail, the gangs all here.” But she did not sink and was safely towed first to Scapa and subsequently to the Tyne for repair.
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Frank Bruce, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. BOBOLINK, engaged in mine sweeping on the North Sea, when, on 14 May 1919, 1 mine was found to be foul of a parted sweep which was being reeled in. As soon as this dangerous situation was reported to him, Lieutenant Bruce took his station at the stern, sending everyone else forward, and proceeded to direct the operation of attempting to clear the mine. When the mine was near the surface and directly under the stern of the ship it exploded, killing Lieutenant Bruce almost instantly.
