The story of this splendid rescue of a hundred human lives is told in the matter-of-fact official report of Capt. Eugene Blake, jr., of the Seminole, and in the letter of thanks to the Secretary of the Navy, which follows, with the Acting Secretary's reply:
"Wilmington, N.C.,
"April 2, 1919.
"Seminole.
"From: Commanding Officer.
"To: Commandant, Fifth Naval District.
"Subject: Report of search and tow of Canadian S.S. Korona.
"1. At 1 a.m. on the morning of March 25, the following message was transmitted to the Seminole from the communication officer at district headquarters:
"'March 24, 1919: Korona boilers out of commission. Needs assistance. Position, latitude 31-48 N., longitude 72-12 W., noon, today. Signed, Doyle, Master.'
"2. The Seminole left the Berkley oil docks at 7 a.m. the same morning and proceeded at top speed for the reported position of the Korona, passing through the Gulf Stream from 2 a.m. to 8 a.m. of the morning of March 26.
"3. At 8 a.m. in the forenoon of March 26, intercepted a radiogram from the Porto Rican S.S. Co.'s steamer Coamo that she had the Korona in tow, and was proceeding with her to the westward. Communication by radio was immediately established with the Coamo, and the position, course, and speed ascertained. It was also learned that as the Coamo was bound to the southward for Porto Rico, she was anxious to be relieved of the tow. Arrangements were therefore made to meet the Coamo at the nearest possible meeting point and at 10 that morning the course of both vessels was changed to effect this meeting at about 7 that evening. The Seminole was run under forced draft in order to take advantage of the weather, which was then favorable to picking up the disabled vessel.
"4. At 6.45 p.m. March 26, the Coamo with Korona in tow was sighted bearing almost dead ahead, and at 8.15 p.m. the Coamo had been relieved of the tow and the Seminole's hawser shackled into the starboard chain of the Korona. The Korona's master stated that his port of destination was New York and requested to be towed to the northward. Hampton Roads was accordingly selected as the port of destination and the course shaped for Diamond Shoals buoy.