Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-10-08
Deliuers Correspondence
for Bernstorf then Dis
appears Beneath
Waves

NEWPORT. r. J.. October ..--Scven-
teen days from Wiihelmshavcn the
imperial German submarine U-53
dropped anchor in Newport harbor to-
day. Almost before the officers or the
American fleet of warship-. through
which the stranger had noscd her way
had recovered from their astonishment
the underSea fighter had delivered a
/ message for the German amba ssador
and weighing anchor. turned Brcnton's
kcef l-ightShiD and disappeared be-
meath the waves just outside the three
mile limit.
She flew the black and white colors
OF the Germany navy, "A gun was
mounted on the forward deck and
another aft, while eight torpedoes were
plainly visible under the forward deck
LieutenantCaptain Hans Rose. COM
manding the U-53. said that he had
called at Newport simply to mail "a
letter to Count Won Bernstorn. lie re-
CURED neither provisions nor fuel and
would be on his way. he said, long be-
fore the twenty four hours during
which ii belligcrcnt ship may remain
within a neutral harbor had expired
The submarine was In American
waters a little more than three hours
assuming that she continued to sea
after subnerginS.
Within that time the German com
mandcr paid official visits to Rear
Admiral knight, commandant OF the
second naval district. and Rcar-Admiral
Gleaves. commander of the destroyer
force OF the Atlantic Fleet. who was
on board the flagship. the scout cruiser
Birmingham. Both American officers
returned the brief call promptly.
While these formalities were being
exchanged. wireless messages were
carrying to the ships Of the British and
French fleet off the coast a warning
that a hostile submarine had slipped
through their Gordon. and might be eN-
pectcd in the open sea SOON.
FEAT OF CAPTAIN ROSE
ONE TOPIC or CONVERSATION
At the forts and the naval station
the feat OF Captain Hans Rose was the
one subject of conversation tonight.
and there was much speculation as to
her mission and whether II was con-
timed TO the postage of a letter To the
German amba ssador.
There were rumors. without apparent
basis. that the German merchant sub
marine Bremen. long overdue. might
be expected in the wake of the war
ship. Some naval officers expressed
the opinion that the tighter had cs
corted the Bremen across the ocean,
and others that she was searching for
the merchant ship. The first question
asked by Captain Rose when II motor
boat came alongside was:
Have YOU heard from the Brcmen"'
When he was told that there was no
news OF the missing craft his face be-
came grave. but he made no comment.
TO the naval men generally the most
interesting fact disclosed by Captain
Rose was that he had been at sea
seventeen days apd still had provisions
for three months, abundant fuel ana
needed no repairs. Not SO much as
bottle OF water was taken aboard. anu
the ship was Spick and shan.
The C-53 was first sighted FRO" land
at 1:45 o'clock this afternoon, as she
was entering the inner harbor escorted
by th. United States submarine d.
which WAS returning from mancuvcrS
She sent Il wireless message to Admiral
Knight who notified the Navy Depart
nemt al Washington The American
submarine preceded III, visitor into the
harbor.
MAKES WAY THROUGH FLEET
or ~ q. y. W\RSIIiPS
The iirS, report had it that it was
the Ercncn. y wspapor man climbed
To the tower of the United states en-
pinccrs Office and with the aid OF
glasses made out two guns on the sub
marine y few minutes later he was
in a motor boat. making for the craft.
ana Was taken aboard The t-J3 had
made her way through the fleet OF
thir,y-sevcu United states warsnips. in
GLIDING dcstroyers and submarines. To
an anchorage. Captain Rose told the
cores pondcnt that he had come iE TO
mail letter 10 Count Won icrnstorG,
and asked for the newspaper matt'S ere
dcntialS
The latt,r exhibited AN Associated
Press badge, and was intruStcd with
the correspondence for the ambassador.
please forward this letter To Count
BcrmStorn' SAIL iiIc captain. and re-
port my arrival They will u" glad
To hear it,"
The correspondence, contained in i
single envelope was mailed at the
local post Office at = o'clock. anL should
have started for Washington about an
hour later l; should be at the German
embassy carly tomorrow mc..ning
Commander Rose appears to be about
thirty eight of age. About him as he
talScd 10 The newspaper man, were
grouped four officers aud the crew oi
thirty three. Tie officers were in the
blue uniforms oi the German navy. and
looked as if their clothes had been
brushed ana pressed for the occasion.
The crew wore black oilskina. Lieu
tenant Captain lose wore The iron
cross, and other decorations. He said
that they had water ana provisions for
three months.
PERMITTED rG ROAM
AuouT NJ Will. ON nOAT.I
fleet Of pleasure boats surrounded ;cr.
anG several persons. including :, nav
her Of women. were allowed 10 com"
aboard. Th"N were. permitted to roam
nj viii about the deck