The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1916-10-12

Shock Follows Sensation.

l ShoSN ToIO"o 0Cu6dkIOus
The sensation created when the
U-53 quietly slipped into Newport har.
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 few minutes the air was lit
orally charged with electricity as
wireless messages Of warnings we're
broadcasted along the coast. The
submarine or submarines had taken
position directly in the steamer
lanes, whore 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 thrce-mile limit Of the
American shore. Several that were
following tho outside course shifted
and made for the inside lane. The
Stephano, OF the Red Cross line, how.
ever, was caught outside the neutral
zone. Tho 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.
"All 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.
1n-chief of the British North Atlantic
squadron at Halifax, N. S. 1t was in
reply to request for a 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 and
crews OF destroyed vessels who we're
being brought into Newport were not
expected to reach there until after
midnight.
Preparations to 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
flotilla now at Newport.
Later reports gave further details
of the attacks. The Stephano met a
submarine six miles southeast of
Nantucket lightship and was attacked
by gunfire and a torpedo. She re-
NAMED afloat until 1905 o'clock.
The West Point went down 10 miles
south Of the Nantucket lightship. The
Strathdene was attacked "off light
ship" the reports stated and the
Bloomersjidk was sunk three miles
south Of the lightship. She remained
afioat some time going down at 8:O5
The American steamer Kansan was
held up three meils east OF Nantucke
lightship.
As
The first wireless warning OF th,
presence OF q hostile submarine in tn,
steamship lane was given in the dis
tress signals OF the West Point whicl
reported that she had been torpedoet
70 miles southeast OF Nantucket light
fhis message apparently was picket
up by every vessel having wireless
equipment within range for within ,
very short time press dispatches from
st. Johns. N. F., and Halifax, N. s
Indicated that the patroling warship
Aad received the alarm. The British
censorship. however, prevented tn
disclosure Of the movements of tn
patrolling vessels.
Booming Of Guns Heard.
The booming Of the submarine
guns, apparently fred in warning
was distinctly heart at Nantucket. l
was plain that the submarine hat
placed herself in the lane Of passen
ger and freight traffic and terrorize,
shipping along the coast.
In a flash after the first distres
signals Of the West Point were sent
wireless messages OF warning wer
sent broadcast
Every vessel was warned to max
for the three-mile zone and the com
manders of merchant vessels OF thu
Entente Allies lost no time in shift
ing their course.
Those that were following what i
known as the outside course turne,
to the inside course that would brin,
them closer to American land.
The passenger steamer StephanC
which plies regularly between New
York and St. Johns. N. F., was boun,