Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1918-06-15
SATuRDAY.......J JUNE Is, 1918
U-BOAT TORpFDOES SHIP 100
MILES OFF VIRGINIA COAST.
Victim Is British Steamer Harpathcnr
No Lives Arc Lost.
SURVIVORS ARE RESCJrED

Belief III Navy Department is That
Submarines May Make For Mexicnn
Ports-Pursuit is Being SYSTEM
atized With Aid Of Admiral Sims
In England--Shaps ut Sea Warned
By Navy Department Two Weeks
Ago-l4 Ships Now Sunk
(By Albert w. Fox.)
Eluding their pursuers despite the
increasing concentration of warcraft
against them and apparently skill
lurking Off the Virginia capcs, tho
u-boats have claimed yet another vic
tim.
The latest report flashed to the
Navy Department last night stated
that the British steamer Harpathian
nad been torpcdocd and sunk 100 miles
oil shore at 9 o'clock Wednesday morn
ing. Survivors were taken aboard the
steamer Palmer. Only one is injured.
Inc lidrpltllan was a $500 Ton Brit
ISM snip inward bound from Europc,
1-., NRE FURTHER AT SEA,
The new location of the U-hoat or
u-boats indicates that they have gone
slightly farther out to sea. The Nor
Wcg.an ship Eidsvolt was sunk 40
miles of the Virginia Capes at S
O'Clock Tuesday afternoon.
1t $ noted that in this case the sub
marine used a torpedo. This may
mean That the British ship was arm
o" and ready to put up Il fight Dc
tails so FAR are lacliing.
This makes the fourteenth ship
known to have been sunk by tn ,
'l,,,s..
ViouS case--tha of the Winncconnc
was \ torpedo used. The U-boat com
mandcrS i'll most cases have come
aboard the Sh ps placing bombs aboard
and exploded them:- THIS practice can
only he reScrtcd to with unarmcd
vessels.
NAVY DEPARTMENT. DISTURBED
1t was indicated early last evening
that disturbing information had
reached the Navy Department. There
was n late conference between Sccrc-
cary Daniels, Assistant Secretary OF
thc Navy Roosevelt and naval Off
Gals. 1t was intima' ed that redoubl--
cd efforts arc being made to eliminate
the raiders.
1t IS said that the search is being
systematized and that particular at
tcntion Is being directed against the
possibility or more U-boats coming
to American shores. In this connect
ion the Navy Department has been
in touch with Admiral Sims, COM.
handing the American naval forces
IN European watcrs Vessels in the
war zone will cooperate by way Of
seeking to prevent other U-boats from
coming out and attempting to trap
the present raiders should they seek
to rc,urn to their bases.
MAY GO TO MEXICO.
1t is understood that the search is
being spread southwark in the belief
that the submarines may make for
tho Gulf OF Mexico. Reports regarded
in naval circles rs reliable Indicate
that the U-boats will attempt TO reach
Il port in Mexico to claim their right
40 remain "a hours and peplcnish
their fuel and supplies.
The Mexican coast is most likely to
be selected it is poin'c out because
there are no other convenient possible
ports of call. Mexico being neutral
would accord the submarines the same
right which the United States accord
Gu TIE zoo at newport, II. l., IN 1910.
SHIPPING WAS WARMED.
Tt now develops that the Navy Dc
partment sent out broadcast warnings
to shipping off the Atlantic coast near
ly two weeks ago stating that it was
repor>cd that U-boats would appear
near the American coast.
These warnings did not contain the
intimation that these reports were
credited by the government. They
were sent out however because the
Navy Department has for months
been following a practice of warning
shipping whenever there appeared to be
the slightest foundation for the u
boat alarm reports. The last warn
ing it is added was based on informa
ton which appeared 10 be more author
itat!We than the previous reports re
ccived.
1t was late Saturday that the Navy
Department sent the warnings out
broadcast in positive specific terms
confirming the presence Of the IT,
boats off the coast,