The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-07-24
HUN SUB SCORES.
AMER CAN CRUISER SUNK OFF
NEW YORK.



Diego was sunk not far from the en-
trance of New York harbor today.
Circumstantial reports reaching
hers indicate that she was torpedoed.
There were also reports tonight, al
though not confirmed. that other
ships had been attacked, one being
described as coastwise passenger
ship.
Whether there had been n toll OF
lives taken on the San Diego was not
known up to the late evening hours
Three hundred reached New York
on tank ship at 10 o'clock tonight.
Thirty-two. a lieutenant. an ensign
and 80 sailors, were landed in life
boats this afternoon on the Long
shore shore.
Survivors were reported to have
been picked mp by other ships. how
ever. and to be on their way TO New
York. The San Diego was sunk at
i1.30 a. m. about 10 miles southeast
OF Fire Island light which is off the
Ions Island shore about 90 miles cas-,
OF the entrance To New York harbor
and on the Marine highway OF trans
Atlantic ships bound I'm and out OF the
port.
Although the navy department an
nounced that the cause OF the loss OF
the San Diego had not been deter
mined. information received from re-
liable sources in the afternoon indi-
Gated that submarines had been oper-
ting on the coast and that she had
cen torpedoed. There were rumors
that the cruiser had been I'm collision.
$50 that she had struck a mine, but
.sports current where survivors land
"a on the Long Island shore bore out
ne Indications that a German subma-
zine has BEEN responsible.
Inhabitants of Bay Shore and Baby
on said they heard gun fire and ex-
olosions at seq shortly before noon.
rhe SO officers and sailors camc
ashore i'm three boats between 3 and Z
D IN. at Point o'woods. which is
remote sand spit. They were held at
the coast guard station. where in
quirers were barred.
The firing continued during the af-
ternoon and the evening, the viliag.
ers reported.
The reason for II could only be con
jectured.
Fleets Of submarine chasers. II is
known. put out from New York and
other coast ports Immediately upon
receipt OF the news of the disaster.
and destroyers were also rushed to the
scene.
Seven merchant steamers were re-
ported to have responded TO s. o. s.
calls of San Diego and shore wireless
stations and to have stood by picking
up survivors.
Crews OF the Fire Island and Oak
Island coast guard stations left for the
scene OF the disaster and had not re-
turned at 1890 o'clock tonight.
Details of the San Diego's destruc-
ton remained wholly yelled tonight
except for n story told by an uniden-
tifed naval aviator on patrol who ap-
parentiy witnessed the disaster from
the air The story as obtained by
villagers was that while flying along
the Long Island shore ne saw the San
Diego suddenly list and later saw nun
dreds OF mon struggling i'm the water.
lie Immediately sped TO Point o.
Woods. where ne landed and got into
communication with "a wireless station
calls.
Fire Island. where the cruiser San
Diego was sunk. IL about ten miles
OF the south shore OF Long Island
and about 90 miles east OF the en-
trance OF New York harbor. A light
house OF the island provides n mark
FOR trans-Atlantic shipping inland out
OF New York.
The San Diego was bound from the
Portsmouth. ". H., navy yard for
New York when she was sunk
Capt. III. IT, Christy was in com
mand and ON board were "a officers.
1880 enlisted men and GS marines
The vessel had been undergoing re-
pairs NJ the navy yard.
An aviator. flying along the Long
Island shore at the time the San
f.icgo was sunk. noticed the vessel
suddenly list and was instrumental i'm +
having the s. -. s. call sent out from
the wireless station on Fire Island.
according 10 statement by civilians on
the shore.
Altar brief ipvnottgotton .Io