Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1916-05-08
GERMAN U-BOATS
.LURk NEAR COAST
Two Submarines and Two
Cruisers in Striking j
Distance
ATTACK A FREIGHTER
ATTACK A FREIGHTER
Steamer Venezia's Shelled and Chas-
ed By Raiders Headed Toward AM
erican Coast

New York, May s-Two German
submarines, conveyed by two armed
auxiliary cruisers, are within striking
distance of the American coast.
On April 90 this fleet attacked the
former French liner Venezia, 700 mile
southeast of Cape Race, approximate
ly 1900 miles from New York in a
direct line. The German feet at that
time was headed due west.
The Venezia, which escaped by skill
full maneuvering arrived yesterday.
Captain Boniface declined absolutely
to discuss the affair. From various
members of the crew, however, the
story was gradually obtained.
Only one unit Of the German fleet
attacked the Venezia. The other ar
med cruiser and the submarines con-
tinued on their westerly course, and
probably are by this time within a
days run of the American coast.
The Venezia left Bordeaux on April
"a. At noon, April 20, when about
1900 miles from the latter port, a
steamer was sighted on the port bow
about four miles distant. The day
was calm, and the strange craft car
ried no neutral or other markings.
She apparently had no wireless.
While Captain Boniface was watch
ing her from the bridge, puff OF
smoke issued from the side of the
stranger, and signal ordering him
to stop was run up at the halyards
At the same instant another vessel
was observed close to the horizon or
the starboard. By the aid of powerful
! marine glasses, the officers on the
bridge were able to discern the bluisf
smoke from the gasoline engines Of
two submarines close to the ship or
the starboard side. This convoy was
headed west.
The vessel which fired theshot wa;
apparently a cargo boat OF about
5000 tons. The ship with the subma
rines on the starboard was evidentl.
a converted liner of about 1000 tons
The cargo boat had one smokestact
and two masts. The rig of the othe
could not be made out, owing to tn
cloud of smoke which hung over her
Immediately after the warning sho
was fired Captain Boniface ordere'
the ouartermaster to throw the helm
hard astarboard. Then he swung hi
ship to port, which allowed him t
get lead on the attacking ship.
The latter instead of quickly taS
ing up the pursuit signaled to tn
other German vessel and then Dor
down to meet the convoy. Som
quick signaling passed between tn
two German commanders, the large
vessel continuing on her westerl
course all the time.
While this was going on, Captai
Boniface ordered all hands to dut.
and sent as many men into the Ell
CINE room as could work there. Tn
men worked in the strokehold wit
e feverish energy until the Venezia-
which normally only makes abo'
!, IL 1-2 knots-began to make lit
: over Ia knots.
Afterf the signaling between tt
two Germans had ended, the snall'
of the two. took up the chase of tt
Venezia, This chase lasted until SUI
down, during which time more ths
two dozen shells were fir
e at the French liner. All the shel
struck the sea in distances varyir
: between 1000 and 800 yards of Il
y Venezia.
The converted cargo boat was sa
to have had little more speed tn;
- the Venezia, but the early lead o
taincd by the maneuver of CAPITA
IL IR-