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

Ht Zoo DtSdH UGT APPROXIMATIONS at
daybreak this morning. So far as is
known there has been no loss of life.
But the crew of one steamer, the
Kingston is in open boats.
American Destroyers to Rescue.
Seventeen of the fastest destroyers
In the United States navy are plough
ing through the fog in search of them.
The u. s. S Balch has flashed the
radio station she will reach the station
at midnight with the first of those
rescued.
The innocent looking little engine
Of war which lay at anchor for few
short hours in the inner harbor here
yesterday afternoon became a death
dealing demon no sooner than she
had sped past the ree-mile limit to-
day.
She first sighted the American
freighter Kansan, making her way
through the dim light of early morn
ing from New York to Boston.
Captain Rose. the suave and keen
eyed commander Of the U-53. person
ally stood on the bridge and halted
the Kansan. The freishter was not
detained long. After inspecting the
ships papers Captain Rose apologized
and allowed the vessel to proceed.
The Kansan was fifty miles away from
the scene when her wireless operator
picked up the dreaded S. Q. s. 1t was
from the British ship West Point.
From station to station along the
coast the distress call was repeated.
The captain of the Kansan instantly
needed the call 1t was followed by
a message. briefly saying the West
Point had been attacked by a sub
marine and was in danger of sinking
Her crew and passengers had taken
to the boats ready to put to sea.
Twenty minutes after the call was
flashed to the naval training station
here the torpedo boat destroyer Jarvis
had left her moorings and was headed
for the open sea. She was rapidly
followed by the other boats on the
fiotilla. Crowding their boilers the
fleet navy boats started on the journey
OF mercy
But the Kansan was hrst to reach
the rapidly sinking steamer. She beat
the navy boats in the nrst race in
American waters to save the lives of
persons imperiled by the ruthless I'M
dersea warfarer.
Two hours later the U-53. still lott
ering in the lanes of the steamships
on their way to Boston or foreign
ports. sighted the British freighter
pouho from new i CTk 10
Bordeaux.
The strathdene appeared to have
been laden with munitions of war for
the allies. She proved easy prey for
Captain Rose and his men. Twenty
minutes after the crew had taken to
the open sea in small boats she lifted
her nose towards the sky and sank.
Pluckily battling the waves the crew
of the Strathdene managed to reach
the Nantucket Shoals Lightship.
There seventeen OF them were found
by the destroyer Balch.
Leaving the balance OF rescue work
to her sister ships the Balch WAS or
dered to return here by Admiral
knight.
1t was soon after s o'clock that
told of the torpedoing OF third ship.
Tolls of Disaster Continue.
1t was the Red Cross liner Stephano
bound to New York from Halifax. The
Stephano received her vital blow at
4:30 o'clock. II was more than an
hour later before the word had been
received here. In rapid succession
tonight the wireless sputtered its tales
of disaster TO the other ships.
The Kingston was the first to sink.
Then followed the BloomerdiJk and
Knudsen. Naval officers say the U-53
had only six torpedoes aboard when
she left here yesterday. Normally the
submarine carried eight. but two of
these were spent on the voyage to
these shores. Captain Rose. himself.
said his submersible carried but eight
when she left Wilhelmshaven. but he
had nothing to say by way Of expla-
nation
Three full divisions Of the Atlantic