Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-02
'FOELATD MINES
in DELAWARE BAY
Hidden Sea Traps Strew
Ocean Gateway of Phila-
delphia Port
NESTS ON JERSEY COAST

Location OF. nine German-sown mine
fields along the Atlantic coast. one at
the mouth of the Delaware Bay, the
port of Philadelphia's gateway TO the
sea, were announced today by Rear Ad-
miral Seaton Schroeder, head of the
NAVY photographic office,
Immediate precautionary meaures
were taken by the authorities of the
Fourth Naval District here to guard
Ships against the mine field dangers
All the American ships leaving this
port, coastwise and overseas. must apply
to the routing officer of the district for
a route. Meanwhile efforts are being
made to clear the dangerous zone at
the very mouth of the Delaware Bay
Naval authorities here are of the opin-
ion that the mines were laid by the
submarines that attacked coast shipping
some months ago. The idea that the
explosives came from a German naval
base somewhere along the coast is scout
ed, as is the theory that the field may
have been the work of disguised mer-
chantmen.
1t is believed that submarine mine
layers, with the assistance of combina-
ton U-boats, carrying both mines and
torpedoes, placed the mine=
The Atlantic coast mine fields, re-
vealed by Germany under the terms of
the armstice, were located at the fol
lowing several points:
Just off the mouth of the Delaware
Bay. between Cape Henlopen and Cape
May, mine field was laid covering three
miles 1t contained seven mines
stretched out about 900 meters apart.
Another field was laid off Atlantic
City directly in the line of coastwise
traffic. The number OF mines was not
disclosed.
A third field extended for four miles
off Asbury Park, y. j., with nine deadly
percussion mines separated by intervals
Of 900 meters.
Steamship lanes to the port of New
York were threatened by Il minefield off
Fire Island, where between twenty and
thirty mines were set as traps for in
coming and outgoing transports and
| conveys.
off Cape Henry. the entrance TO the
Chesapeake Bay and the port of Balti-
more, four fields were planted, the big
gest explosive net set to snare American
shipping. The number of mines in only
one of these four fields We're designated.
| II contained eight of the metal monsters,
scattered over an area of two and ou6
| half miles.
| The ninth field was located off Cape
Hatteras, off the coast of North Caro-
lima, where nine mines hoated at inter
walls of fifty meters.
| Warning of these mine fields, revealed
| by conquered Germany. was sent broad
cast to shipping men today. The notice
! warned that a mine Showing about ten
inches above water was seen seven miles
east of Asbury Park.
The routing officer has this afternoon
made the following announcement to the
! Philadelphia Maritime EXchange:
First. You are informed that this
Office has now taken over the routing of
all American vessels. both coastwisc and
| overseas and will furnish oversee routes
| TO masters of all Allied and neutral ves-
sells who may apply for the same. The
British routing officer is, at present, rout-
| ing English vessels to certain ports only.
q Second. In view Of the foregoing, you
are respectfully requested to inform all
masters of all American vessels clearing
from the Custom House that they must
report Immediately after clearing at the
| Custom House to the United States Navy
Route Office, fourth foor, 1130 Chestnut
street, Philadelphia, Pa, for routing in
structions. Should they fail to do SO,
in case of accident, they would probably
| forfeit their insurance.
Third You will also please inform the
masters of Allied and neutral vessels
that routes will be given, by the navy
route office, to them should they desire
| the same.
| .'Iourth The foregoing is important
and it is requested that the officer in
charge of clearances impress upon the
masters of all vessels the necessity of
complying with this request"
Another communication also advises
all 'skippers" to obtain passing signals
from the naval authorities. This in
| cludes tugs. In event that ships Of the
latter type are on a rescue mission they
must furnish affidavit of their mission
when stopped by the naval patrol boats.