According to the after action report, the attack occurred after midnight local time after "Roper" closed to identify an unknown contact ("U-85") and was narrowly missed by a torpedo prior to opening fire. The commanding officer delayed rescue operations until daybreak and after the arrival of air support from a PBY Catalina and an airship due to concern of an attack by a second U-boat. No charges were filed against the crew of "Roper" and 29 sailors of "U-85" were buried with military honors at Hampton National Cemetery.