On December 6, 1917, the USS Jacob Jones became the first American destroyer sunk by enemy action during World War I, torpedoed by the German submarine U-53. In this gripping episode, we dive into the harrowing story of the ship’s final moments, the heroic actions of her crew, and the surprising humanity displayed by the German commander, Hans Rose.
From the icy waters of the North Atlantic to the lessons learned that shaped future naval strategy, this episode honors the bravery and sacrifice of those who served aboard the Jacob Jones.
Tune in for an unforgettable story of courage, resilience, and the enduring spirit of those who defend freedom.
On a cold December day in 1917, the USS Jacob Jones, a sleek destroyer built to combat the growing menace of German U-boats, was making her way alone across the North Atlantic. She had just completed a convoy escort mission and was returning to Queenstown, Ireland. The men aboard the ship, hardened by months of war, knew the dangers all too well. The waters teemed with submarines, and in the dark, icy depths, the enemy was waiting.
The Jacob Jones had been commissioned only a few years earlier, in an era when America was beginning to expand its naval power. Named for a hero of the War of 1812, the ship symbolized the fighting spirit of a young nation flexing its muscle on the global stage. She was fast, agile, and heavily armed—a fitting addition to the fleet tasked with protecting Allied shipping from German submarines that prowled the seas in their campaign of unrestricted warfare.
The German submarine U-53 was among the most feared of its kind, commanded by the skilled and enigmatic Kapitänleutnant Hans Rose. By December 6, 1917, Rose had already built a reputation as a deadly and effective leader, but also one who operated with a certain code of honor. That day, he stalked the Jacob Jones, waiting for the right moment to strike. It came shortly after 3:00 PM, as the destroyer steamed alone, vulnerable in the vast expanse of open ocean.
At 3:21 PM, Rose fired a torpedo that found its mark, slamming into the starboard side near the ship’s rudder. The explosion was devastating, ripping through the hull and igniting fuel. The Jacob Jones was doomed. Her commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander David W. Bagley, acted quickly, ordering the men to abandon ship. Even amidst the chaos, the crew displayed remarkable discipline. Sailors rushed to help one another, launching lifeboats and rafts as the destroyer began to sink.
Within eight minutes, the Jacob Jones was gone, swallowed by the cold Atlantic. Her stern, mangled by the torpedo, broke away entirely. The explosion had also detonated armed depth charges as the ship sank, killing several more men who were struggling to escape. Out of the 110 aboard, only 64 survived the initial sinking.
“As the ship began sinking, I jumped overboard. The ship sank stern first and twisted slowly through nearly 180 degrees as she swung upright. From this nearly vertical position, bow in air to about the forward funnel, she went straight down.” – LCDR David W. Bagley, CO of the USS Jacob Jones
The survivors found themselves adrift in frigid waters, clinging to rafts and debris. Hypothermia began to claim lives as the hours wore on. Yet even in this moment of despair, an extraordinary act of humanity emerged. Kapitänleutnant Rose, commanding the very submarine that had attacked them, surfaced U-53 near the wreckage. He ordered his crew to rescue two severely injured American sailors, taking them aboard the submarine for medical care. Before leaving the area, Rose radioed the approximate location of the survivors to the American base in Queenstown, ensuring help would arrive.
Lieutenant Commander Bagley, unaware of Rose’s transmission, organized a desperate attempt to seek help. Along with a small group of men, he set out in a lifeboat toward the Isles of Scilly. They were eventually spotted by a British patrol vessel and informed that most of the survivors had already been rescued earlier that morning. Among those who perished was Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Stanton F. Kalk, who worked tirelessly to aid his fellow sailors before succumbing to exhaustion and exposure. Kalk’s selflessness was later recognized with a posthumous Navy Distinguished Service Medal, a reminder of the heroism displayed that day.
The sinking of the Jacob Jones marked a grim milestone. She was the first American destroyer lost to enemy action, a harsh reality check for a Navy that had entered the war with great confidence but little experience in the brutal realities of submarine warfare. The loss underscored the urgent need for improved convoy tactics and anti-submarine strategies, lessons that would profoundly shape naval operations in the years to come.
What happened that day wasn’t just a story of loss; it was a testament to the courage and resilience of the men who served aboard the Jacob Jones. It also stands as an unusual example of humanity in wartime. Kapitänleutnant Hans Rose’s decision to aid his enemies, even as he fought for his country, is a reminder that even in the most savage conflicts, decency can surface, however fleetingly.
For Americans, the legacy of the Jacob Jones is one of sacrifice and resolve. Her story is a chapter in the greater narrative of a nation that has always risen to meet the challenges of its time. The men who served on her, who faced death in the icy waters of the Atlantic, remind us of the cost of freedom and the enduring strength of the American spirit. Their bravery echoes across the decades, a reminder of what it means to serve, to endure, and to honor the call of duty.
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