Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1918-08-13


merge. The result Of the attack was
not determined; but after oil had ap-
1 pcared on the surface of the water.
two bombs were dropped on the spot
and the submarine was not seen again.
Sinking of the British steamer Pen
stone of 4,139 gross tons, and the
Swedish steamer Sydland, of 3,09l
| tons, in New England waters near
whore ten fishing smacks were de-
| stroyed Sunday also was reported to
the navy department during the day.
The former was torpedoed Sunday
with the fate of her crew still unde-
termined, while the latter was de-
! stroyed by bombs August s and her
crew later rescued by passing ships.
Can Remain Here Six Months.
SIN another despatch said that four
| survivors of the fishing schooner
katie Palmer landed at New Bedford.
! taken ABOARD the submarine. the com.
mander of which boasted that he was
equipped to remain in American wa
ters for six months If he desired
The submarine was described by
| the men as being about 500 feet long,
with a coming tower fifteen feet high,
and mounting one gun. The raider
carried crew of sixty men.
While the reports from the com
mandants of the Smiths Island coast
guard station and sixth naval district
clearly indicated their firm belief that
the gas attack on the island was de-
liberate some officers tonight thought
there was a possibility that the sub
marine had discharged the oil and gas
! after being wrecked on q reef.
Was Submarine Wrecked?
Attention was called to the fact that
the action of salt water on electric
batteries used by submarines gener-
atos chlorine gas. which Is similar
to mustard gas In its effect and Is
deadly if encountered In closed
space. II the submarine were wreck
ed, 1t was said. this gas would be gem
Grated and would come to the sur
face with the oil which would be
freed. *
No such possibility, however, was
mentioned in the navy departments
announcement, which said;
"The navy department has received
despatch from the commandant OF
the sixth naval district, Charleston,
s.. c., stating that an attack with gas
was attempted on the North Carolina
coast about 5 o'clock Saturday after
noon with the result Of temporarily
, putting out of business the coast
J guard station and light house persons
nell The report goes on to say:
"'About forty minutes after the at
tack three large oil spots each oyer
sne acre in extent were observed pass
ing by Smith island 10 the north. This
oil from which the gas was no doubt
generated must have been released
: from the submarine in the vicinity Of
the entrance to the channel with the
hope that it would come in with the
tide, but the tide fortunately set along
the island.
. "'Report was made to Colonel
, Chase. coast artillery corps, Fort Cas-
we'll N c., by Captain Willard OF the
Smith island coast guard after the
effects Of the gas were noted Six men
we're gassed No deaths. The gas had
the effect of mustard gas and was ef-
fectve about thirty-six to forty min
utes. Color of the gas has not yet been
ascertained and its effect on trees and
shrubbery not yet determined. The en-
tire matter will be investigated and re-
port made
"The incident was reported by Col,
onel Chase TO the naval district COM
mandant. Smiths island Is off the
mouth of the Cape Fear river near the
entrance to the channel to Whining
ton, North Carolina"
: May Have Sunk a Sub.
Assuming the attack was deliber-
: ate. the only explanation offered here
was that the submarine commander
sought to put the lighthouse out OF
commission with the attendant dan
ger to passing ships. If that were the
purpose of the submarine he did not
see why he did not destroy the
lighthouse with his guns.
| on the basis of reports received
concerning the attack on the subma-
marine attack off the Virginia coast,
officials did not venture an opinion AZ