The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-10-09

destroyer notilla are engaged in the
work of rescue. Admiral knight. COM
handing the Newport Navy Yard, has
given orders that all survivors picked
up by navy boats be brought here.
Those aboard the Kansan are being
taken to Boston.
| wireless has been received from
the destroyer Dayton saying she Ia
| returning under forced draught with
| sixty-eight survivors of the Boomer
| dix and knudsen. Her commanders
| expect to reach dock between IL and
| II O'Clock tomorrow morning.
Admiral knight has made every
| arrangement TO take care of those in
need of medical attention.
| Admiral Austin NJ. Knight and Rear
Admiral Albert Gleaves. chief of the
destroyer flotilla. have kept the Navy
Department informed of everything
i that came to their ears regarding the
/ German visitor. 1t is presumed that
the two admirals received specific in
structions as to their course in GER
tain emergencies.
Quick Work Surprises.
1t was freely commented upon that
for the first time known. every de-
stroyer anchored here was kept UNI
der full steam during last night.
Whether this had any significance or
not would not be admitted by naval
officers tonight Certain 1t is that
none expected the U-53 to cut across
the lanes Of neutral shipping so soon.
] 1t was the general belief she would
head for Halifax and there to inter-
cept II possible the troop ships car
rying Canadian contingents to the
front.
! 1t was with surprise and astonish-
ment that naval officers learned the
tiny man. of-war had only delayed
until she was safely past the three
mile limit before she began her war;
fare against enemy vessels
i Late tonight naval officials admit
ted the destroyers sent to sea were
not alone on a mission of mercy.
Their decks were cleared for action
and each commander had strict in.
structions to determine that the ut.
most neutrality had been maintained.
Even late tonight there was no off
fcial word that any Of the attacks
were perpetrated inside the three-mtle
limit, but the curious line Of the Ques-
ton here gives rise to the greatest
speculation. The ships went to the
bottom. it is believed. within a ra-
dius OF five miles. It is believed thjs
circle OF activity centered ten miles
south of the Nantucket lightship.
Allied Warships to Scene.
From all along the coast came word
ol mysterious messages pelng reiayeo
| between the French and British war;
ships rushing to this vicinity. None
has given an inkling of her where-
abouts, but within twenty-four hours
Gordon of battle gray steel will Be
thrown about the waters for miles up
and down the coast
These patrolling vessels, scattered
between Trinidad and Halifax. have
been converging on the waters Of
Narragansett Bay since they were APP
praised by wireless of the U-53's au-
dacious appearance.
Late this afternoon a lookout in the
tower OF the L. 8. Coast Guard Station
at Prices Neck saw what he believed
TO be the pilot OF the approaching
fleet The vessel was Identified as the
French cruiser Condo.
This information was Immediately
conveyed by Captain Chauncey
Kenyon. commanding the station. to
the commanding admirals. They de-
cided. however. that the destroyer
fiotilla needed no reinforcement At
the present time. The largest United
States naval vessel in the harbor now
is the scout cruiser Birmingham. nag
ship of the destroyer hotilla.
Despite the boast of Captain Ross
that the U-53 had fuel and provisions
aboard to last for a three monthf
cruise, local submarine ofFlcers BELIEVE
the vessel was ready to descend upon
her prey and then make quick dash
for home.
May be Scooting For Housos
These experts place her cruiainG
radius At 5000 miles - far - 1nel
supply = concerned. Ghera WSEQ ~