Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-08-13
U-B0AT WORKING OFF
AMERICAN COAST HAS
BEEN SUNK
GAS LIFE SAVERS
NAVAL CHIEFS LOOK INTO RE
PORT SUBMARINE SCATTERED
MUSTARD GAS TO KILL PEOPLE
ON SHORE.

"dShInstoH, aug. IL Naval ON
cials today felt reasonably confident
that one at least of the German sub.
marines that have been harassing the
Atlantic coast-the one which sunk
the Hatteras lightship- either has
been sunk or badly damaged They
based this belief on the appearance
OF three big patches of oil on the
surface OF the water after des-
troyer had been searching for the
submarine dropped depth bomb
pver the spot where 1t was seen to
fuhmerge. However, in the absence
OF positive evidence, no official claim
VIII be made that the submarine was
destroyed
The Navy department also was in.
vestlgating the gassing OF six men at
Smiths Island. off the mouth OF Cape
Fear river, near the entrance to the
channel at Wilmington, N. C. This
was the first evidence that the sub.
marines had attempted any movement
against men on shore. The gas had
the effect OF mustard gas according
to Official report and was effective for
forty minutes. The report that il
had been set off gave rise to rumors
OF more sensational exploits, but
these were not borne out by the facts
AS matter of fact the submarine
ont this side, in fact, nearly all of
the German underwater craft. will
hardly attempt any exploit which
would bring them into the visibility
OF destroyers or submarine chasers.
IL Is their accepted tactics off the At
lantic coast to attack only small, un
armed craft. and to submerge the
moment they see any vessel coming
which Is swift and armed One naval
0ncial IN command of certain anti,
submarine vessel declared today that
he had been cruising nearly year
and had yet to see his first submarine
The most elaborate precautions have
been taken to prevent the submarines
doing any very serious damage on
this side. Officers of the navy feel
confident that these measures will be
successful and in the meantime they
refuse to discuss the submarine situa.
ton for publication. They promise
that developments will be made pub
lie as fast as is consistent with the
safety OF the country.
Dutch Ship Sunk.
An Atlantic Port. Aug. 13.-The
former Dutch steamer Somerstad was
sunk by a German submarine off Fire
Island yesterday morning at s o'clock
according to thirty.one members of
the crew of the vessel. who were
landed here today.
Destroyer Engages U.Boat.
AT Atlantic Port, Aug. 13.-News of
the destruction by German submarine
OF three ships off the Atlantic coas,
In the last fortyeight hours ami he
report of a battle betWeen an Aemr-
lean destroyer, two submarine chas.
er and Hun diver 100 miles off Fire
island, was brought to this port TO.
day.
The Norwegian steamer Som.
merstadt, taken over by the American
government was sunk by subma-
rine of Fire Island yesterday morn
ms.
A British steamer arriving here
shortly before noon reported having
received a wireless that an American
destroyer and two submarine chasers
were giving battle to a German sub.
marine. The submarine was believed
to have been the one which attacked
and sunk the Sommerstadt.
The British liner also received n
wireless from the Penstone already
known to have been sunk and wire
less from an unidentified vessel which
claimed she was being sunk by n
German U.boat.
Used Wireless Torpedo.
Washington. August 3.-That the
Norwegian steamer Sommerstadt was