Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-06-04
Fifteen CRAFT SUNK
ONE REPORT DECLARES;
NAVY REPORTS THREE
CONTINUED from Page -


tive protection which has carried them
through the infested waters of the Brit
lsh Isles and France with remarkably
low loss of life
Submarine blockade in the principal
transport lanes and about the territory
containing the principal embarkat ton
ports for the American army has long
been counted upon by American naval
omcers as one of Germany's last cards
and preparations have been made to
meet it,. -.
Inc navy department has received an
othclal report of the destruction of one
schooner by German submarine on the
Atlantic coast.
The navy department later announced
that II had received an official report
that three American schooners had been
sunk off the coast by enemy subma-
rines.
Navy Statement
The complete navy department official
statement follows: -.
The navy department has been in
formed that three. American schooners
have been sunk off this coast by enemy
submarines.
The steamship Bristol, arriving at
New York this morning, reported that
the foul-masted schooner Edwin NJ.
Cole was sunk by a submarine at s 80
p. m. Sunday, fifty miles southeast Of
Barnegat. n. j., and that the Bristol
rescued the crew and brought them to
port.
ut also rescued the crew of another
sailing vessel which was sunk. The
Bristol reported that she encountered a
submarine 3S miles off Barnegat at
4:2o p. m. Sunday, and that two sub
marines were operating in that locality
THE steamship Grecian reported that
the schooner Jacob S. Haskell was sunk
by gunfire of German submarine in
the same general vicinity at noon Sun
day. The crew was rescued. e
at was also reported that the 1sa-
bella D. Wiley was shelled by sub
marine"
Captain Newcomb, of the Cole, stated
that his vessel was attacked by Ger
man submarine, which boarded him.
took away his papers and placed bombs
on board. The captain and crew took
to the boats. Captain Newcomb stated
that the submarine which attacked him
was abonut 200 feet long and carried
two large guns, one forward and one
aft, and a smaller gun aidmidship.
HE states that he saw distinctly one
other submarine beside the one which
attacked him, the second submarine be-
ing in the near vicinity, submerged
with her periscope showing.
Naval officials said that up to the time
Associate Press dispatches telling of the
destruction of American shipping off the
New Jersey coast by German subma-
rines were received in Washington, the
navy department had no positive in
formation of the presence of enemy
raiders in home waters.
Hunting American Transports
The submarines were undoubtedly
looking for American transports. Hav-
ing been checked by the American de-
stroyer flotilla in the war zone, the
German admiralty apparently has con-
cluded to carry the submarine warfare
to the doors of America in hope of
stopping the flow of troops which will
turn the balance against the central
powers on the western battle front.
If the German admiralty expects TO
find the American ports unprotected be-
cause great force of American destroy
ers has been concentrated in the war
zone around the British isles it will
be mistaken, naval officers say. While
the anti-submarine craft in the war
zone are in large number, the protection
of the steamer lanes on. this side Of
the Atlantic has. not been overlooked.
and it is said there are adequate forces
in home waters to meet them.
The torpedoing of ships off Barnegat,
n. j., followed by the. report of more
restrictions
ly two hundred miles to the north, was
taken as indication that the hostile sub
marines were operating in numbers and
that the plan of the German admiralty
probably was to concentrate the u
boats in a practical blockade of the
principal ports of embarkation being
used for American transports.
RecurIent reports of German sub
marines on this side of the Atlantic
Nv he
department during the last week Re
ports of one German submarine near
the Virginia capes were current along
Hampton Roads Saturday night. 1t was
said the navy flying boats, submarine
chasers and other anti-submarine craft
in that district Immediately went 10
sea in search Of the raiders.
The master of British vessel arrlN-
ing at Norfolk on May q reported haV-
ing fired some shots at submarine
about $50 miles off Cape Henry. Other
incoming ships at Atlantic ports Tor
the last few days have also oroughI
REPORTS of sighting submarines
There are indications that the navy
department has been watching c1oseIy
reports of the appearance OF enemy
U-boats in unexpected places Tor solile
time and that the possibility OF the a.
rival of the craft off American ports
WAS Yoreseen. Some officers believe that
n base has been established, possibly
on some desolate island to the soutn
or in a hidden bay. others are co il
WINGED that the submarines are WORN
ing out of German bases
These officials and others who have
been maintaining that bases had been
established in the Mexican gulf or In
the West Indies declared today's raid
fully demonstrated their theory. This
theory was that the submarines which
participated in yesterdays attack were
on their way to the base in the SOUTH
having for their immediate object the
long lines of oil tankers carrying fuel
oil to the allied navies from the Tam
pico district of Mexico and taking the
opportunity to raid American shipping
while on their way.
The fact that the C-boats wasted all
the value of surprise attack in home
waters would give them in war on
troop transports attracted attention. IL
was pointed out that after all, the pres
ent German campaign must be for the
purpose of creating an impression that
a strong patrol was being established.
while in fact, only few boats, perhaps
not more than one or two, actually were
engaged
The effect sought would be to impede
the movement of American troops, 1t
was suggested, and also to start a ter
rorization campaign in the United