Fortune had been unkind when the _Corsair_ tried to pull the _Californian_ into port, but the story was a happier one when next she had the opportunity to snatch a good ship from the greedy maw of the sea. How it was done is summarized in a letter written by Vice-Admiral Wilson, after the event: _U.S. Naval Forces Operating in European Waters_ _Forces in France_ _U.S.S. Prometheus, Flagship_ _Brest, France, 8 October 1918_ From: Commander U.S. Naval Forces in France. To: Lieutenant Commander W. B. Porter, U.S.N.R.F. Subject: Commendation. The Commander U.S. Naval Forces in France takes pleasure in commending the excellent seamanship and judgment displayed by you in the salvage of the Norwegian steamship _Dagfin_, as reported in your letter of September 17, 1918. The _Dagfin_, a vessel of 2100 tons, loaded with general supplies for the Italian Government, had been totally disabled for six days with a broken shaft when sighted by the _Corsair_ on September 10th, in Latitude 45° 3′ North, Longitude 8° 03′ West. The U.S.S. _Corsair_ under your command maintained touch with the _Dagfin_ until the heavy weather then prevailing had moderated, and towed her into port, a distance of three hundred miles through the submarine zone, arriving at Verdon on September 14th. (Signed) WILSON The _Corsair_ happened to find this helpless _Dagfin_ while scouting in search of a steamer of the convoy which had somehow gone astray. Insistent radio calls had failed to awaken a response from this missing _Macona_. She appeared to have lost her bearings and totally mislaid the rendezvous. The _Corsair_ was too courteous to express annoyance, but her radio queries became more and more emphatic. The _Macona_ was as elusive as a Flying Dutchman. At length the yacht concluded that she had done her honest duty and so turned in the general direction of the destroyer rendezvous, still keeping an eye lifted for the lost sheep of the convoy. At 8.35 o’clock on the morning of September 10th, with the _Macona_ still on her mind and the quest continued, the _Corsair_ descried a steamer against the misty horizon and soon it was discovered that she was in distress and making no headway. By way of precaution the _Corsair’s_ crew scampered to general quarters, because nothing could be taken for granted in war-time. Bearing down, the yacht hovered close to a sea-worn, dingy Norwegian tramp which wallowed inert and wore an air of profound discouragement. The sailors of the _Dagfin_ flourished their caps and yelled with delight. It was obvious that they yearned to be plucked out of the submarine zone after six days and nights of exposure as a stationary target to any U-boat which might wander that way. Fritz was too unsportsmanlike to hesitate to shoot at a sitting bird.