The Washington herald., 1916-10-10
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE.

and left there pending their removal Il
shore. This Is the story they told:
The first submarine was seen to the
east Sunday afternoon about o'clock
She was white and had a double super
structure. About mile away the sub
marine hove to and approached to within
mailing distance OF a Danish vessel max
ing for the lghtship to get her bearings
A man was seen to step to the deck
OF the submarine. He talked with the
captain Of the ship through a megaphone
and then went aboard.
The ships papers evidently were salts
factory as he left and allowed the vessel
to proceed on her course.
Pol<es Nose Above wter.
Half an hour later, another submarine
or battle gray color, but much smaller
than the first, poked her nose above
water about half a mile to the south.
She flew the German naval ensign.
The submarine dived and re-appeared
Internationally until the HolIand-Amer
lean freighter Bloomersdijkk appeared.
The small boat made for the freighter,
but when half mile away, sighted some
United States torpedoboat destroyers
about half an hour, heE periscope alone
showing above the water, but came up
again and as soon as the Identity of the
war vessels could be made out.
In full view Of the destroyers the sub
marine attacked the BloomersdIJk. After
giving the captain and crew time to take
to the boats, she fired shot after shot
into the deserted hull. As darkness came
on the freighter sank from view.
Most Of the survivors from the Ste
piano, West Point, Bloomersdijk and
Christian Knudsen were quartered in the
barracks attached to the naval training
stations before being placed aboard the
train for New York at II O'Clock this
morning. There were 256 in all. and none
IN the throng succeeded in saving any
thing other than the clothes they wore.
Gives Detailed Account.
Before leaving for New York to make
a report to his employers. Bowring & Co.,
Capt Clifton Smith. of the stephano.
gave detailed account OF the attack
upon the Red Cross Liner. He said:
The Stephano was making good time
on her trip from Halifax to New York,
and was about three miles east Of the
Nantucket lightship and forty-two miles
from the mainland when the submarine
appeared about a mile away.
The weather was clear, but a light
haze was beginning to settle with the
APPIOdCulHB udThneSS. Ihere was
Most Of the passengers were at dinner
and was on the bridge. Until I saw
that streak of gray flashing toward my
boat could not realize an attempt would
be made to intercept US. Five minutes
later saw a flash from the gun on the
forward deck Of the submarine and a shell
struck the water not ten feet from our
bow. The spray from 1t splashed upon
the deck.
Il Immediately gave orders to stop the
ship, knowing that the safety Of all on
board would only be assured IN this man
her. The submarine had evidently been
ytng in wait for US In the lee Of a large
ship I judged to be a supply vessel
She was half mile away when the first
'hot was fired.
Remains Stationary.
The submarine remained stationary for
few minutes and then fred three more
'hots in rapid succession. I needed no
'urther warning and gave orders to man
he boats. Several Of the United States
iestroyers were then in sight and could
lot realize that such a daring thing was
icing attempted under their very noses,
But didn't have time to do much think !
ns; I eentered every energy on gettinx
he boats away as quickly as possible.
There was no axcitemeut among
he ninety-four passengers and sixty |
'even members Of the crew. OF course.