Evening journal., 1918-08-13
U-BOATS using
GAS ON COAST
Set Adrift Three Floats
Emitting Fumes Along
North Carolina Shore
SIX GUARDS
ARE OVERCOME

WASHINGTON, Aug. t3.-Germany IS
seeking to bring one Of her favorite
brands Of frightfulness direct to Amer
ics's shores.
A gas attack was made on the North
Carolina coast late Saturday afternoon.
Six Of the coast guard and lighthouse
personnel on Smith Island, near the
entrance to Wilmington harbor, were
overcome by the gas, but no deaths re-
suited, according to a Navy Department
statement last night.
The gas was generated from three
large patches Of oil, each more than an
acre in extent, which the submarine
spread on the water. The gas was
described by the Navy Department re-
ports as having about the same effect
as the mustard gas which was used
against the Allies in France. II was ef-
fective for about thirty-flve or forty
minutes. The gas was generated from
the oil about forty minutes after the
appearances Of the patches was noted.
This is the first time in the history
Of submarine warfare that such gas
has been employed. The attack led
naval officers to consider steps to meet
II.
It raised the question Of equipping
coast guards and crews Of the subma.
rine chasers with masks. 10 was said
at the department that this subject
would be given immediate considera-
tlon.
Following IS the Navy Departments
statement on the North Carolina at
tack
The Navy Department has re-
Tf
maRdant OF Sixth Naval District,
Charleston. S c., stating that an
attack with gas was attempted on
the North Carolina coast about ,
o'clock Saturday afternoon with
the result OF temporarily putting
out Of business the coast guard
station and lighthouse personnel on
Smith Island. The report goes on
TO say:
About forty minutes after the at
tack three large oil spots, each
more than an acre in extent. were
observed passing by Smith Island
10 the north. This oil, from which
the fas was no doubt generated,
must have been released from
submarine in the vicinity Of the
entrance TO the channel with the
hope that 10 would come In with
the tide. but the tide. fortunately,
set along Smith Island
Report was made 10 Colonel
Chase, coast artillery corps, Fort
Caswell. " c., by Captain Willis. OF
the Smith Island coast guard. i'm
mediately after the effects Of the
gas were noticed. Six men were
gassed. but no deaths resulted.
The gas had the effect Of mustard
gas and was effective about IS or 10
minutes. The color Of the gas has
not vet been ascertained, and It's
effects on trees and shrubbery not
vet determined. The entire matter
VIII be Investigated and full report
made.
The Incident was reported by
Colonel Chase TO the naval district
commandant
Smith Island IS OF the mouth OF
the Cape Fear River, near the en-
trance 10 the channel TO Whining
ton. y. c.
The first real encounter between an
American destroyer and German sub
marine since the U-boats began their
raids on shipping in American waters
was announced by the Secretary OF the
Navy.
indications pointed to the sinking or
serious damaging Of submarine op~
Grating of the Virginia coast, but the
Navv Department entered no Official
claim TO the destruction OF the enemy
vessel. Secretary Daniels authorized
the following
"The Navy Department has received
rsnort that an American destroyer
SIGHTED an enemy submarine about iO0
miles east OF the Virginia coast and
dropped fifteen depth bombs on the
spot where the U-boat submerged
.sThe submarine was not seen again.
hut an oil slick appeared and two more
depth charges were dropped or tne
spot" ,,.,,ob
The only previous occasions on whlch
,,nits Of the American coast patrol nave
sighted submarines in domestic waters
we're IN the cases OF the French steam
shin Radioleine. which was attacked on
the Virginia coast on June 4, and IN inc
attack on the tug Perth An1boy and
four coal barges OF Cape Cod on july
q An American destroyer went 70
the aid OF the Radiolelne, bub was a.
zoo great a distance TO make an erect
i've attack on the U-boat. Aviators
dropped depth bombs on the submarine
fbat attacked the Perth Aulboy' but u
was charged some OF the bombs failed
10 explode and an official inquiry was
made The report has not Deeh pup
lished. -, MAJ.
agree that at least two or more SUD
marines are operating in American
waters. He made this statement III
announcing the report OF the crew o.
the schooner Katie Palmer, when was
sunk late Saturday afternoon in Ne"
ENGLAND waters.
Particular interest was attached 10
statements Of the crew Of the schooner
who were taken aboard the U-ooat'
40 the effect that the German comman-
der stated he was equipped TO stay u
American waters six months i nc
desired"
"of course, II he could obtain sup
plies and fuel he might do So salo
Secretary Daniels, hut II IS the gen
eral view that he was just talking.
The Navy Department statement on
the Kate Palmer follows:
-Four survivors OF the schooner
Kate Palmer. which was sunk about
sunset August 10 by a submarine, have
arrived at New Bedford, Mass. The
survivors state that the submarine was
about 300 feet long, carried a crew Of
60 men, had one gun and a coming
tower approximately IS feet high. The
crew of the Kate Palmer was taken
aboard the submarine. The captain OF