Evening journal., 1918-08-22
SEIZED RAIDER
near CAPTURE
Gordon Stretched Around
Fishing Banks to Trap
Trawler
PATROL NOW ADEQUATE
TO PROTECT ALL SHIPS

WASHINGTON, Aug. 22.--Navy De-
partment officials are confidently await
Ing a wireless dispatch telling OF the
capture or destruction OF the trawler
Triumph, which was seized by a Ger
! man submarine yesterday. German
crew put aboard and the vessel armed
and started on a raidlng expedition
against the defenseless fleet Of fishing
smacks operating on the Grand Banks
Every precautlon has been taken. it
was said, 90 prevent the raider slip
ping through the line stretched around
the fishing region.
Benson, acting secretary, requested
newspapers 10 make no mention OF the
type OF craft being employed In the
hunt. 10 was said, however, that these
are numerous and swift enough TO
make the eventual apprehension OF the
converted fishing vessel absolutely GER
tain unless the enemy destroys the ship
or attempts TO engage one Of the pur-
suers In unequal combat.
Oflclals have expressed the belief
that the German commander realized
the utter hopelessness OF his new as
sociate continuing operations for more
than twenty-four hours. Some con-
sidered a rendezvous with the sub
marine had been arranged by the crew
Of the Triumph, after which the Tri-
umph would be sunk so the patrol
flotilla would find it necessary TO con-
tinue their hunt for several days.
This would result. the German ofi-
GERS might hope. in a large force be-
ing held along the Grand Banks, les
sening the strength OF the coast guard
al other points, The answer made TO
this possibility Is that adequate forces
are now in service at every vital point
70 protect all ships.
The only dispatch received by the
department yesterday concerning the
newest maneuver OF the Germen sub
marine 1otilla on the American coast
was a brief message from the com
mander OF the First Naval District ae
Boston. This dispatch merely confirm
ed the landing Of the captain and crew
OF the Triumph and reiterated the
story told by these sailors. SIX hours
earlier this information was given TO
the NAVY Department through press
dispatches and was flashed by naval
wireless 20 officers in command or pa
troll forces i'm the vicinity.
"The department has taken steps 70
protect fishing on the Grand Banks ana
10 counteract the effects OF this raid
Admiral Benson said. He expressed
fbe opinion it would be Impossible lot
the Germans. in the limited time al
their disposal, TO equip the triumph
properly as a raider. Suclr task, ne
asserted. would occupy the New YORK
Navy Yard nearly a week
With a crew Of seventeen men, now
ever. armed with revolvers and ma
chine gun or two, the Triumph wouiu
no abls 10 capture and then destroy d
number Of small craft. The maximum
military advantage the German can
hone 10 obtain, II was held. was Ihe
depletion OF the supply OF canned nsn
for the army. 4. ri,.e
much credence in the declaration maui
nv the submarine commander 10 VIZ
csntain Of the Triumph thaS slA
I,-boats now are operating IN Americas,
Nyaters Very careful checking OF az
information regarding the actiVltles ~ ~
,Iosa ,i,,s craft has convinced naval oul-
e,ois u,T ,hst only three have been ac-
,,yelv engaged. The acting seore'sas az
warned against the public piaclhs ~
,o,,cb hone in stories or Geriiiah sun
.aorsibles being destroyed.