Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-10-13
Squadron of Cruisers VIII
Act as Escort for Muni-
tion-Laden Ships in
Danger Zone.
Especial to The Times Dispatch. J

Especial to The Times Dispatch.)
NEW YORK. October 12.-Headed by
the 24.o00-ton White Star liner Adriatic
with a s7.OO0.Oo0 cargo and 1886 passeu-
gers, a aotilla OF nine British mer-
chantmen. with munitions OF war. slip
ped out to sea Tonight The vessels
had remained at anchor all afternoon
within the three mile limit off Sandy
Hook.
As soon as darkness shut out the
shore line, the propellers OF the Adriatic
commenced TO turn. and she crept away
on her voyage TO Liverpool. the rich
est prize on the seven seas to-day
a squadron of British cruisers. sum
moned by wireless from the West In
dier. Bermuda. the bahamas and Halt
fan by Admiral Montagu Browning met
her. They will act as an escort for
the big liner and the eight freightcra
that followed in her wake through the
danger zone in which Admiral Brown
ing thinks the t-53 and her companions
may still be waiting
The Adriatic left her pier at 1890 r.
NJ. just half an hour later than her
advertised sailing time. She passed
the Battery little after o'clock, and
the Narrows to anchor at Sandy Hook
until nightfa! When she passed the
Narrows. the Cunard steamer, Pannonia.
with her cargo OF explosives In Grave
send Bay. lief; her anchorage. and fol.
lowed astern of the big liner
LOADED TO CAPACITY
WITH WAR MUNITIONS
Later in the afternoon the British
steamers East Gate. Dipton, Toftwood
and Strathstcy, all under charter to thu
French Line. and loaded to capacity
with war munitions. left their anchor
ages and joined tho .Adriatic and Pan
nonia off the Hook The last two OF tho
fotilla. the freighter Ardgorrock and
the Atlantic. transport steamer Mime
haha. with l.400 tons OF munitions on
board. passed through the Narrows ut
o'clock.
The reasons for the movement OF SO
many munition carriers at one time are
said to be the availability at this time
OF the cruiser squadron as an escort,
and the superstition that so many
shippers have about sailing on a. Fri
day Tomorrow being Friday. the
thirteenth. IL was realized that, unless
whole day might he wasted and Satur-
day nigh, NOT provo so favorable. Fur
thcrmorc, tho Cedric and Bowie. two
other big British freiEhtcrs. are due to
reach port tomorrow. and the presence
or the allied cruisers would enhance
their chances for a safe arrival
United States battleship Nevada and
several torpedo-boat destroyers have
been sighted off the coast and their
presence was attributed to the known
arrival Of the British and French crui-
sers. and tho determination of Presi-
dent Wilson that there shall he no vio-
lation OF American neutrality.
LIFE BOATS SWING UNCOVERED
READY FOR INIMEDIATI: rsE
Before the Adriatic left her pier Can
tain j. Il. Ransom ordered all tile life
boats uncovered. and supplied with
provisions and water. The falls were
Ioosencd and pulleys inspected. While
at anchor off the Hook. the life boats
we're swung outward in readiness for
Immediate use. Life belts were served
TO the passengers. most OF whom seem
to have been told that the British crui-
sers would guard them from submarine
attack.
OF the thirty-cight first cabin Dns-
sengers four Americans--I 4.
Emerson. New York commission mer-
chant; II. c. Brassnston. who is in
the safe business in this city: Will
liam j. Wilson and his wife. who are
going to join the London lIippodrome
forces. There were several Americans
among the 1913 sccond-cabin passengers,
but their names were not available.
q W IN hn1 In, fl h;
cabin were IL passengers. mostly
Canadians. and no known American
citizens were among them
Tho departure Of the Adriutic re-
called To the minds OF most of the pms-
scnGers and their friends on the pier
the sailing Of the I,usitnniu in the
face of warning. not nearly as en-
phatic ns that given by the activities
of the U-53 last sunday.
Good-byes were said soicmnly, and
every one seemed subdued. Even per-
sonal friends OF Captain Ransom went
on board TO shak" him by the hand
SIXTEEN .'TANKs" LASHED
TO HER FORWARD DECK
The .Adriatic's 1900 tons OF freight
consisted chiefly OF foodstums and mu-
nitions Of war OF every description. cx-
cepting explosives. l.ashcd to her
forward deck were sixteen tractors or
tanks" To be used on the western
front Each tank" weighed 10000
pounds. Acroplancs and their parts
also were shipped as deck cargo.
AS the liner moved away from her
pier and backed into the North River,
she was greeted by cheers from the
people along tn. water front and by
the whistles OF all craft i'm the harbor.
The whistling accompanied her all the
way to the Narrows.
The &driatic has n speed OF nineteen
knots. and is the largest and fastest
vessel now i'm merchant service. Cap
tain Ransom snid:
II have no fear of the C-53, and as
soon as I get the word | Will put the
liner TO her best speed
High HOnors for Woman Lawyer.
Try Associated Press.l
WASHINGTON October l2-Jessic