Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1918-08-17

CABINET SESSION CONSIDERS
U-BOATS
Norwegian Steamer Is Latest Victim
OF Hun CndcrSca Raiders

washington, August Fisherman
submarine raids in American waters
were understood to have been dis
cussed today at an unusually pro-
longed session Of the Cabinet, but if
any new plans for combating this
menace to helpless fishing craft,
lightships and other vessels were
formulated by President Wilson and
his advisers, the fact was not dis
closed.
The only report Of tho activities
of the raiders reaching the day fold
Of the destruction Of the Norwegian
steamer Sommcrstad yesterday morn
ing, twenty-five miles southeast Of
Fire Island, N. Y. Captain Hanson
and his crew OF thirty men were
landed by Il naval patrol boat, which
found them ut sea in small boats
ten hours after the steamer went
down.
Destruction of the Sommorstad by
Il torpedo, which passed under the
ships bow, and later circled and
struck the vessel amidships, gave
rise to n suggestion that the torpedo
was controlled by radio on the sub
marine, but this was ridiculed by
naval experts. They explained that
the course of Il torpedo is regulated
by the gyroscopc, which can be SO
set before discharge that the weapon
will describe Il circle. This has been
done time and again during torpedo
practice in the American navy, so rs
to return the wacpon to the ship dis
charging it, high officials said, and it
has not benc an uncommon thing for
tropcdocs fired by German subma-
rincs to take similar coursso.
With tho torpcdo's steering gear
set so the weapon will run in n cir
Gle, it becomes almost doubly cffec-
tive. naval officers explained, for If
it missed tho object when speeding
on its outward course, the possibility
remains that it will strike after IL
turns about. a possibility that is in
creased If the ship attacked goes full
ahead as the Sommerstad did.
BELIEVE DEADLY GAS OVER
5. -. CAME THE GUARD :. :.
No additional reports on the depth
bomb attack by an American de-
stroycr on II submarine off the Vir-
Einia coast have reached the Navy
Department, but ii now seems fairly
we'll established that il occurred
Sunday, after gas from oil, supposed
to have been discharged from Il sub
marine, overcamo six mon in tho
coast guard station and lighthouse
on Smiths Island, N. c., Sunday eve
ming. While most naval experts ac-
ccpt with great reservation tho
theory that tho gas from subma-
rinc injured the men, Secretary Dan
iels said today he believed the re-
port as given by the commandant OF
the coast guard station was correct.
1t was accepted by the commandment
OF the Sixth Naval District, who must
have thoroughly satisfied himself
concerning 1t, Mr.. Daniels said, be.
fore transmitting it to the depart
mcnt. Additional reports have been
requested by the department., and
are expected soon.
No previous accounts of gas at
lacks by submarines have been re-
ceivcd. nor has there been any in
formation coming to the department
That the u-boats are equipped for
such attacks. Some officials, how
ever, do not regard it as at all i'm.
probable that, in carrying out their
campaign Of ''frightfulncss," the
OF gas by submersibles that might be
found possible,
NORWEGIAN SHIP SENT DOWN
WITHOUT WARMING
=
The steamer Sommerstad was tor
pcdoed without warning and sunk
by German submarine yesterday
morning, twenty-five miles southeast
OF Fire Island, N. Y, the Navy De.
partment was advised today by the
commandant Of Third Naval District.
Captain Hansen and thirty members
or the crew were rescued by q naval
patrol boat. There were no casual
ties.
The captain reported that he saw
the wake Of torpedo and imme-
diately passed under tho bow OF the
vessel, which was drawing only seven
feet of water. Full speed ahead was
then ordered, but the torpedo turned
sharply to the left and returned,
hitting the vessel between the third
and fourth holds on the port side.
The force Of the explosion tore
great hole in the side of the ship, and
in five minutes the whole deck amid
ships was awash. The crew sue
ceedcd i'll launching two boats, and
got away in safety. They made for
Sandy Hook. and sighted the patrol
boat ten hours later.
The submarine showed only it's
periscopc. which was observed at
some distance, standing some six
feet out of the water and moving
very rapidly.
Naval officials believe this is the
same raider that accounted for the
British steamer Penistone, the Swed-
ish steamer Sydland and some dozen
fishing Eoats off the Massachusetts
coast within the past few days.
No further information regarding
the operations Of the raiders, either
on the North or Middle Atlantic
coast had reached the Navy Depart
ment today.
ANOTHER SCHOONER ADDED TO
LIST OF VICTIMS
Nantucket, Mass, August 13.-
The auxiliary schooner Earl and
Nettie was added today to the list of