Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-02-03
Navy Yard Here Shut
to Keep Moves Secret


Continued from Page One
the yard only after identification by officers
from their ships
Wagons anu automobiles carrying coal
and supplies We're held up and admitted one
at time. Each was accompanied to it's
destination in the yard by an armed ma rine
guard who escorted the vehicle to the gate
again.
BY O'Clock this afternoon more than
fifty women beseged the entrance to the
Navy Yard, pleading to he allowed to see
their relatives and friends among the blue
jackets and marines. They were told that
this was impossible, but that probably ar
Iangements would be made to allow them
to say good-by should any ships be ordered
out.
The decision to close the yard followed
orders from Secretary of the Navy Daniels
Commandant Russell called r conference Of
his aids. commanders of vessels and the
marine corps officers and laid the situation
before them. Captain kilgore. of the Marine
Corps, was placed in command Of the gates
with Naval Constructor Snow supervising
the admittance of workmen.
PORT NOT CLOSED
The port of Philadelphia has not been
closed, but no vessels left today. Strict
guard is being maintained over the German
liners Prinz Oskar and Rhaetia and the
Austrian steamship Franconia. Although
SIX steamships all ready to sail received
clearance papers yesterday, none had left
its dock today. There are two British, two
Norwegian and one Danish and one Swede.
Ihey carry general cargoes and munitions.
Collector of the Port Berry today said the
situation as regards the port rema ined the
same as yesterday and no change would
be made until orders from the Treasury
department instructed him otherwise. No
extra guards have been placed aboard the
Central Powers three merchantmen i'm
port, but the customs officials on guard
nave been ordered to increase their vigil
lance to prevent any possible attempt ia
damage the vessels.
Laden with tons Of explosives. the Rus.
sian ships Albatross and Vologa are wait
ing with steam up to make a dash to sea
| from Wilmington. Both boats are an
chored on the du Pont powder works, A
United States torpedoboat believed to be
the Jouett was observed below Wilmington.
One report today said that the torpedoboat
destroyer Jacob Jones met with an accident
while returning from ten-day trial trip
The pilot boat Philadelphia went to the
aid of the destroyer yesterday off the Della
ware Capes. Reports were current in ship
ping circles today that the Jones was in
| a sinking condition. The trouble, it was
| said, was due to an accident to the ma
| chinery.
| ago at the yards of the New York Ship
| building Company. 1t is believed that the
boat was taken TO the Philadelphia Navy
| Yard. Officials of the shipbuilding company
| say they do not know where the Jones is.
There was no change in the local marine
| insurance market. Rates on shipments 10
Allied countries north Of Gibraltar and to
| the Mediterranean were quoted at ten pei
| cent. Rates to Scandinavian ports were
! quoted at four to six per cent. Shipments
| to South America were covered at five per
| cent on beligerent craft and one per cent
| in neutral bottoms.
Fears that Philadelphia may be called
| upon to face another serious freight conges
| ton, should the submarine terror preven
! the sailing OF vessels. were completely dissi
| pated by officials of the Pennsylvania anc
| Reading Railroads yesterday
The operation of embargo restrictions al
| ready has been provided. it was said. Thi'
| consists in the enforcement OF an order pu
into effect some time ago forbidding agents
receiving export shipments unless the ship
per could show he had engaged vesse
| space for his cargo. The moment 1t i
| found that vessels are unable to clear, boil
the Reading and the Pennsylvania will
clamp down an embargo on all ocean-boun'
freight which automatically Will stop tn
movement of freight to the seaboard.