The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1918-07-25
JUSTICIA SINKING
CAUSES MUCH COMMENT
Believe Transports Ships Should Have
Escort on Return Trips-Too
MANY Are Sunk

New York, July 25.-The news of
the sinking of the British transport
Justicia came as a great shock to ship
ping circles in New York yesterday,
as she was regardedsas the most val
ue vessel in the service of the Allies
operating between the United States
and England The Justicia carried
5000 troops comfortably, with their
equipment, and $4,000 tons OF cargo in
her holds, and maintained an average
speed of eighteen knots. 1t was her
fourth trip with American soldiers
when she sailed from New York last
time on June 27.
In December, 1917. the Justicia
sailed from this port with 10000 tons
of cargo. which included the biggest
quantity OF grain ever carried on a
single ship from America. On her
way to England she called at Halifax
and took on board 10000 Chinese
laborers to work behind the lines in
France. This was at the time of the
explosion occurred at the Canadian
port, and for day or two il was
rumored that the Justicia had been
destroyed.
Shipping men and shipmasters said
yesterday that the Justica, Dwnsk,
Covington, President Lincoln, Aurania,
Andania, and many other fine trans
ports and supply ships had been sunk
py the U-boats in the last three months
because they were not protected by
warships after they got clear OF the
transports were east.bound they were
'0nvoyed across by cruisers and met
200 to 300 miles from the Irish coast
or patrol boats. The re
suit of this plan was that only one
transport. the Tuscania, had been
sunk by submarines east-bound with
troops on board.
Leaving France or England the
transports and supply ships are usual
ly protected for twelve to thirty-six
hours and then left to spread out and
make the best of their way back TO
America. The German Admiralty was
aware of this fact, Captains said yes.
terday. and has ordered the comman-
ders of the U-Boats to spread out and
lie in wait for the unprotected allied
ships after the warships leave them.
The submarines are cruising in the
Atlantic in the form of half circle,
/ the centre of which is 1000 miles,
from the Irish Coast, which is the
point where they got the transport
Ausonia on May 30. Each U.Boat has
radius of ten to thirty miles to oper-
ate in, according TO the distance from
land, and the submarines can watch
the steamships coming for hours with.
out being detected by the officers on
the bridge.
-Four weeks ago determined attack
was made by eight submarines on an
American transport westbound, which
fortunately, still had her escort with
her and beat them off after five tor.
pedoes had been launched at the huge
sides of the vessel and had missed
striking her by few feet.
An experienced Captain, who has
been in the transport service practical.
" since the war began in August,
1914. says yesterday:
The loss of the Justicia may put
an end to the senseless methods OF
allowing American and British trans
ports to travel without escort west
bound.
/ The cruisers which convoy then
from America return alone with Gev
ernment officials and politicians OF
board and leave the transport and
supply ships TO take care OF them
selves