William A. Moffett

“ There was a box freight car between the ship and the house and some of our men were lying immediately behind the car, necessitating great accuracy of fire, so that the first shot was fired high and it struck the center of the roof. The next one struck under the gable and the next to the right of the center window. The firing from this building ceased. The shooting of the gun-pointer, an ordinary seaman, was exceptionally good, for had he struck the box car it probably would have resulted in a great loss of life to our men. ”

“ The Executive Officer was in general charge and Lieutenant Turnbull at times directed the fire of the after 3-inch gun. Ensign Holt was in charge of the after 5-inch and was also Officer of the Deck. Ensign Gates and Chief Boatswain Freudendorf were in charge of the two 3-inch waist guns and Ensign Gates also assisted in signals forward. The conduct of these officers was eminently satisfactory and gallant and this applies with equal force to the gun-pointers, gun’s crews and entire ship’s force: everyone showing a desire to do everything he could. ”

“ In fact, trouble was experienced in making the men expose themselves as little as possible. By actual examination of the ship, about one hundred were discovered.
17. There were two casualties; Arthur Bernstein, seaman, who was opening ammunition boxes at the after 5-inch gun, being shot through the right forearm, and Alvin M. Johns, coal passer, being struck by a bullet on the dorsum of the left foot while near the port waist 3-inch gun. ”