New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-10-09
No Departure from This
Port Cancelled Because
of Attacks.
CUNARDERS ARMED,
DECLARES OFFICIAL
Will Not Change Seized
ules, Companies Say
Insurance May Go Up.

Despite the torpedoing Of six mer
chant steamships by German subma-
riEe off Nantucket yesterday no can
cc.lations in departures were made by
any Of the steamship lines in this city.
The sinking of British vessels was
received among steamship men yester-
day with no particular concern, but
amazement was expressed over the de-
struction of the Swedish freighter
Christian Knudsen and the Dutch
frcighter Bloomersdyk.
"Why should we cancel any OF our
sailings?" said a representative of the
Cunard Line yesterday when ques-
toned. I'VE take our orders from the
home office, and no orders to change
schedules CT withhold vessels have been
cabled. | doubt If there will be any
such order.
"This U-boat activity off Nantucket
is nothing new to the British Admi-
rally or the British steamship lines.
They. have had the submarine trouble
much worse over there than II could
possibly be here, with one submarine
working on this coast.
Alaunia, Armed, Sails.
"The best answer as to how much
we fear a German submarine was the
departure of our steamship Alaunia
Saturday night at ; o'clock. We knew
then that the U-53 had arrived and de-
parted from Newport, but we did not
hold the Albania. She is armed with
four-inch gun and an experienced
gun crew, and we feel reasonably sure
that no submarine is going to give her
chase. We are armlng all our yes-
sells. and will be able to hold our own
against any of these undersea boats
The French Line, the HollandAmer-
lea Line, the four Italian lines, the
international Mercantile Marine Com
pany, which includes the White Star
and American lines, the Scandinavian
American, the Norwegian American,
the Fabre, the Lamport & Hol. and the
Booth lines will make no changes in
their schedules unless ordered by the
home Offices.
A representative of one of the Brit
ish lines said yesterday the British Ad-
miralty alone had the power to order
the British companies to change their
schedules and courses of the vessels
ard that the Admiralty probably would
be able to handle the situation on this
coast in so expeditions fashion that
no cancellations would be necessary.
Met Same Fate as Sister Ship.
II. c. Blackiston, manager Of the Fur
ness Witty Company, Limited, owners
of the West Point, which was torpedoed
south OF Nantucket, said the vessel was
in command of Captain +. J. Harnden
and carried crew of about thirty-five
men.
"The West Point was a vessel of
about 1000 tons gross register" he
said, "and carried general cargo
worth about 100000 About year
ago the South Point, sister ship to the
West Point, was torpedoed at the en-
trance of the English Channel. | have
wired the commandant of the naval sta
tion at Newport to advise me as to the
needs and condition of the crew."
Captain James Walker. who was for
merly in command of the West Point,
ia now skipper of another sister ship,
tho Cornish Point, which is tied IN at
the Furness Line pier, at Forty-slxth
Street: Brooklyn. He said last night it
was probable there -ere Americans
among the crew of the West FONT.
There were two on the Cornish Point,
he said. and there were some on most
ships of the line.
Captain Walker thought il highly
improbable there were any passengers.
There were accommodations for only
four or five. he said. and few had been
carried since tho war began.
IL, 90 10 fok
on a cargo for England. 1t is Captain
Walkers first trip to a United States
port since he left the West Point, as
for eighteen months his ship had been
carrying troops from Canada to Great
Britain and from Great Britain to
France.
The West Point is the fifth U-boat
victim in the Furness Line feet
Nav Have Carried Contraband.
The Strathdene, which also was sunk
bv the U-53, was under charter to the
French Line and was bound for Bor-
6eaux. She left port at a. m. Satur-
dav. and while not laden with ammuni-
ton carried cargo believed contra
band.
The chief concern expressed by
steamship men yesterday was the likeli-
hood of a sudden rise in the insurance
rates for ships and cargo, due to the
increased risk caused by the activity
of the German submarine on this coast.
Such a rise is expected, and it is be-
lieyed will be maintained until the Adj
miralty eliminates the menace OF the
submersibles.
Belief was expressed late last night
that the Cunarder Alaunia was beyond
the zone of danger. 1t is reported her
course was changed after clearing Fire
island Lightship and that by heading
we'll to the southeast and off the regu-
lar eastbound lane she avoided the
submarine.