At 15:41 on 20 April, the ship's search radar disclosed a contact. Seven minutes later, "William T. Powell" went to general quarters as lookouts noted a submarine running on the surface. The destroyer escort charged ahead at flank speed and challenged the submarine, only to be informed that the stranger was , en route from New London, Connecticut, to Key West, Florida. "All hands very disappointed when sub turned out to be friendly," noted Comdr. Adams in the destroyer escort's war diary as the ship continued on toward Bermuda.