"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. "5. The weather, which up to this time had been fine, commenced to show signs of a decided change, and the storm warning received the following morning, March 27, confirmed the prediction of an approaching gale. The wind, however, was from southwest to south, and, being favorable, good progress was made, at an estimated speed of five or six knots from the time the _Korona_ was picked up until midnight of March 27. "6. By this time the wind had shifted to west and was blowing a strong gale, and the _Seminole_ was unable to hold up to her course with the tow. We were shipping heavy seas at frequent intervals and were practically hove to and drifting to leeward. About 2 a.m. March 28, the wind shifted to northwest with slightly increased force, and the _Seminole_ was put before the gale with engines turning over at dead slow speed, sufficient to keep the _Korona_ astern, to act as a drag. This is an unfavorable position for the _Seminole_ because she rolls to a dangerous angle in a following sea and takes much water in the waist, but it was the best that could be accomplished under the circumstances. The tow seemed to be fairly comfortable. "7. During the night of March 27 and daylight of March 28, the _Seminole_ with tow lost about 60 miles in a general southeasterly direction. "8. On March 28, picked up an S.O.S. call from the steamer _Alapaha_ in our immediate vicinity; in fact this steamer reported herself in sight at one time during the day, but as she was going to leeward faster than the _Seminole_ and reported no immediate danger to her crew, there seemed no reason for abandoning one vessel for a doubtful chance of picking up the other. It was also learned that the Coast Guard cutter _Yamacraw_ was proceeding to her assistance. "9. The weather moderated slightly during the afternoon of March 28, and at 5.40 p.m. the _Seminole_ with tow was brought up head to wind and sea on course northwest, making little if any progress. The gale increased again in force from 8 p.m. to midnight, and at 3 a.m. March 29 west was the best heading that could be held.