Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-04-18
HEAR HEAVY FIRING
OFF COAST Of MASS;
MAY Be SEA FIGHT.
CAPE CODE IN HEARING DIS
TANcE OF cANNoNADING GOING
IN IN ATlANTlC-U.S s. SHIPS ON
TRAIL OF GERMAN SUBMAR.
INES?

Boston, April lS-Heavy firing due
north of ProvincetOwn was reported
today by three coast guard stations
Shipping all along the coast was no
tilted by wireless of possible naval
engagement in that vicinity.
Requests for full report were made
at once by Captain Rush of the
Charlestown navy yard. The firing
took place at 9:40 a. m. and continued
for some time.
Provincetown is adjacent to Cape
Cod on the Massachusetts coast about
Is miles southeast of Boston. II lies
on the southern entrance to Massa-
chusetts Bay and near the steamer
lane for ships entering and leaving
Boston
The firing was first reported by
the Race Point Coast guards. A
moment after that report was receiv-
ed the Peaked Hill Bar station wired
living similar information. A minute
after the Beaker Hill Bar report the
operator at the High Head Station got
into communication with the navy
yard with similar story,
The engagement was reported north
of the extreme point of Cape Cod
While the firing was distinct and of
great volume all vessels engaged were
below the horizon.
Immediately after the receipt of the
report the Charleston navy yard show.
ed the greatest activity since war was
declared Wireless orders to various
ships of the patrol fleet began to sput-
ter from the big sending station of the
Radio service
United States war craft in the vi
cinity were apprlsed of the engage
ment.
Shipping known to be in the neigh
bcrhood of the firing was warned and
told to lay to or turn back for shelter.
At 1O:45 Captain Rush was still
making every effort to get more com
plete report of the supposed battle.
At 10:45 Provincetown Cape coast
guard stations reported the firing con-
tinuing north of the stations.
The Provincetown station report
stated that fifteen guns were counted
at 03O and that the firing had con
Iinued at fifteen minute intervals with
great fury since that time
The Race Point dispatch stated that
the coast guards at that station heard
i've guns 1915 and few minutes lat
Or heavy and continuous firing"
The Provincetown Cape Station To-
Gated the firing north northwest of the
staten and in the direction of Boston
They estimated the firing of 30 miles
rom Boston harbor.
At II o'clock commandant (Correct)
Rush was still in the dark as to de-
tails of the firing Navy yard offl'
,ials including the commandant stat
ed that they knew no reason why any
If the patrol ships should be cutting
loose their heavy guns unless they
we're in action.
It was believed that the intervals in |
he firing might indicated a pursuit |
IN the vicinity of the cape
Confirm Smith Attack.
Washington, April 1S--The navy de-
Dartment today officially confirmed re-
,orts that firing off big guns was heard
,ff the Massachusetts coast today. The
statement authorized was as follows.
Coast guard stations along Cape
Jod reported to the district comman
Ter at Boston hearing firing of heavy
guns in rapid succession out to sea
lorthward to stations. The reports
we're made in quick succession of each
,ver of the three stations and trans
nitted to officers in command in that
district at 9:il a. m"
The department is without ingorma-
ion as to the nature of the firing or
whether war ships we're engaged