The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1916-10-11
GERMAN SUBMARINES SINK
NINE SHIPS, TWO NEUTRAL,
OFF NEW ENGLAND COAST
Shock Follows Sensation.

U-53 quietly slipped into Newport mar
Dor and as quietly slipped away three
hours later, was less than the shock
in shipping circles when wireless re-
ports Of submarine attacks began to
come into the naval radio stations.
Within a few minutes the air was lit
orally charged with electricity as
wireless messages Of warnings were
broadcasted along the coast. The
submarine or submarines had taken
position directly in the steamer
lanes. where they could hardly miss
anything bound in for New York or
bound east from that port.
Vessels Of the Entente Allied Ma
tons and neutral bottoms carrying
contraband Of war scurried to get
within the three-mile limit OF the
American shore. Several that were
following the outside course shifted
and made for the inside lane. The
Stephano, of the Red Cross line. how
ever, was caught outside the neutral
zone. The destruction of this vessel
was perhaps the biggest prize Of the
day. The craft had been sold to the
Russian Government and would have
been used as an icebreaker after her
present trip.
Throughout the day and up to late
at night, none Of the patrolling feet
maintained by the British and French
to protect their own shipping and
American ships carrying munitions
OF war had been sighted. Frantic
appeals were sent to Halifax.
stirs Up Halifax.
"A,l steps possible in the circum-
stances are being taken to deal with
the situation"
This message was received by the
Associated Press from the commander
in-chief OF the British North Atlantic
squadron at Halifax, n. S. 1t was in
reply to a request for statement by
him. The work of the patrolling
fleets was directed from Halifax and
ever since the war began cruisers and
auxiliary vessels Of the British and
French navies have moved up and
down the coast. The passengers ard
crews Of destroyed vessels who were
being brought into Newport were rot
expected to reach there until after
midnight.
Preparations 10 care for them had
been made by Rear Admiral knight,
commandant Of the Narrangansett Bay
naval station, and Rear Admiral
Gleaves, commander Of the destroyer
fotilla now at Newport.
Later reports gave further details
of the attacks. The Stephano met q
submarine six miles southeast OF
Nantucket lightship and was attacked
by gunire and a torpedo. She re-
NAMED afoat until 1905 o'clock.
The West Point went down 10 miles
south OF the Nantucket Nghtship. The
Strathdene was attacked "off light
ship" the reports stated and the
Bloomersjidk was sunk three miles
south of the lightship. She remained
aaoat some time going down at sos.
The American steamer Kansan was
held up three meils east Of Nantucket
lightship.
West Point Gave Warning.
The first wireless warning Of the
presence OF a hostile submarine IN the
steamship lane was given in the dis
tress signals OF the West Point which
reported thas she had been torpedoed
80 miles southeast of Nantucket light
This message apparently was picked
up by every vessel having wireless
equipment within range for within a
very short time press dispatches from
st. Johns, N. F., and Halifax, N. S.,
indicated that the patrolling warships
had received the alarm. The British
censorship. however, prevented the
disclosure Of the movements of the
patrolling vessels.
Booming CT Guns Heard.
The booming ct the submarines
guns, apparently fred in warning,
was distinctly heart at Nantucket. It
was plain that the submarine had
placed herself in the lane of passen-
ger and freight traffic and terrorized
shipping along the coast.
In a fash after the first distress
signals Of the West Point were sent,
wireless messages OF warning were
sent broadcast.
Every vessel was warned to make
for the three-mile zone and the COM
manders Of merchant vessels Of the
Entente Allies lost no time in shift
ing their course.
Those that were following what is
known as the outside course turned
to the inside course that would bring
them closer to American land.
The passenger steamer Stephano,
which plies regularly between New
York and st. Johns, N. F.. was bound
west and was duo off Nantucket Mon
day morning. When her British COM
mander received his warning. he was
said to have shifted his course tc
bring his vessel within the inside
lane.
British consular officers along the
Ee= England Coc@: who had bee,
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