The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1914-12-16
By Associated Press.

LONDON Dec. 16-For the first time in modern his
tory English towns have suffered from the attacks of afor
eign enemy. Al
A German squadron, the size of which is not yet
known crept upon the northeast coast of England during
the darkness of misty night When the fog cleared be-
tween and nine O'Clock this morning the vessels of
this squadron opened fire the towns Of Scarborough
Whtby and Hartepoo distance Of about 40 miles sep
araes the first named port from the last This stretch of
coast is something like 200 miles
British fotillas engaging the invaders of British
waters and the fortress of Harepoo at the mouth of
the River Tees fired upon the enemy.
LONDON, Dec 16.-A German fleet made sudden
dash ntothe NorSea today and sheed and
Hartepoo English coast towns the North Sea- and en-
gagged certain units of}the British fleet.
-Four German cruisers appeared off Scarborough at
early hour and began to lombard the town. It is apparent
that they had no difficulty in dropping shells into the city,
Panic seized the people and many of fled from their
homes
The residents Of Hartlepoo aroused from sleep
by the sound of heavy gun firing They fockd to the streets
and thenmade their way to the beach to learn What was
goingon In feWmoments shells from the German cruis
ers began dropping into Hartepoo crowd
along the shore broke fosheter Panic also showed itself
possession Of people and many
Of them bandoned their homes and fled inland.
TheneWs;of thenaval raid was announced by the Brit
ish admiralty shortly before 1130 o'clock this morning.
and it threw London into the greatest state of
that has prevailed since the outbreak of the war.
The preliminary nouncement OF the admiralty made
mention the damage to Scarborough which is fash.
onabe seashore resort the North Sea mles north Of
York and la little over 200 miles from London.
Hartlepoo is an important shipping center about 40
miles north of Scarborough The British fotlas have
been engaged with the enemy several points, however
and at noon the situation described by the admiralty
as developing.
could not be ascertained at first whether the German
attack was designed merely to spread panic among the
British people whether its purpose Was to engage the
British fleet in general action to act escort in
attempt to land troops on the British coast
Neither Scarborough or Hartlepool are fortified.
Scarborough has population of 10000 people and
during the summer months theseasde hotels crowded
At this time of the the hotels comparatively de-
serted Hartlepoo together with West Hartlepool has
population of about $1,000.
WHITLEY, York. Eng, Dec. 16-Two German cruisers
bombarded this town between nine and ten O'Clock this
PANIC STRICKEN PEOPLE BOARD TRAINS.
SCARBOROUGH, Dec. 16.-When the German shells
began falling Scarborough shortly before eight CLOCK
this morning the people rushed out of their houses in state
Of the greatest excitement The crowds ran hrred to
the railroad station and all who could boarded the train
that was just leaving for Hull.
Several buildings in Scarborough We're damaged BY
the fire from the German warships.
FIFTY SHELLS FREDDY CRUISERS.
HULL, Eng, Dec 16.-A man who has arrived here
Scarborough estimates that the German cruisers fir
ed total Of about fifty shells into that city He declares
he saw only three chmneys shattered He believes, how
ever that the damage the shore be more serl-
GUS than this Fugitves arriving here from
saw German bombardment was heavy and great
damage was done to property.
The morning train from Scarborough to Hullibrought
many passengers wholeft Scarborough when the sheng
commenced
Arairoad man has wired his wife here from Scarbor-