Running under full speed, and with a helm that she minded, the "Grigsby" swung around. So unlooked for was this maneuver that the pursuing Hun craft did not succeed in making a direct hit on the Yankee ship during the turn.
And then, just as the turn brought him where he wished to be, and at deadly close quarters, Darrin gave his next order.
Forward leaped the American destroyer. Too late the astonished German commander saw the purpose of the maneuver.
With knife-like prow the "Grigsby" crashed into the German vessel, the blow striking just forward of amidships.
As the butcher's cleaver passes through the bone, so did the bow of the Yankee destroyer go through the Hun.
Yet in the moment of impact Darrin rang the bridge signal to the engine-room for full speed astern. Nor was this command executed an instant too soon. Just in the nick of time Dave's gallant little ship drew back out of the fearful hole that she had torn in the enemy.
Aboard the Hun craft the yells of dying men rose on the air, for the enemy destroyer had been all but cut in two.
Listing before an irresistible inrush of water, the German destroyer almost turned turtle, then sank quickly beneath the waves.
To the northward a muffled roar sounded, followed instantly by another. Dalzell had let go with both forward torpedo tubes, and both had scored. The second stricken enemy ship began to fill and sink slowly.
"Shall we stop to pick up men?" called Fernald.