The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-07-20
TORPEDO
MAY RAV
SUNK HER
U. S. Cruiser San Diego Blown
up at Very Entrance to
New York
Harbor.
CAUSE rs NOT KNOWN
Captains "Beilef" That Enemy Sub
marine was Responsible
for Loss Of
Ship.
CAUSE rs NOT KNOWN

UNITED Press Leased Wire Service
WASHINGTON, July 20.-That the
United States cruiser San Diego was
sunk by a torpedo is the belief
expressed by the captain of the ves-
sci in his report to the navy depart
ment today.
A statement by the navy depart
ment says:
'The captain of the San Diego re-
ports that he is inclined to the be-
lief that the ship was sunk by a
torpedo. There are no conclusive
factors, however, on which to base
definite opinion at present, in vicw
OF the following circumstances:
First, no torpedo wake was seen.
Second, no convincing evidence that
periscope was seen. Third, no sub
marine appeared, in spite of the fact
that three unarmed rescue ships
were in the vicinity for about two
on port side abaft beam, which dis
courages mine theory. Fifth, weather
was fine, smooth sea-"
Rumor OF 500 Lost.
NEW YORK, July 20-Reports
that 500 perished in the sinking of
the cruiser San Diego, off Fire ISL
and, were not confirmed here today.
Considerable confusion existed as to
the number of survivors. The rumor
that 800 were missing was ascribed
to sailors who landed at Fire Island
and who said 500 men had been
counted in the lifeboats that got
away safely. The cruisers compile
ment was lila men, but she was
believed to have more than that
aboard as recruits We're being
brought to New York from Ports
mouth.
Heavy firing was heard off the
Long Island shore during the night.
1t is known that destroyers and sub
marine chasers are on the lookout
for enemy U-boats in those waters.
After the San Diego was blown up,
some of her guns were worked until
she sank, fifteen minutes later, sur
vivors said
Much shooting was done at a float
ing barrel, which it. was thought
might be concealing a periscope.
The warship was abandoned in
perfect order, in a calm sea, shortly
before noon. AS she sank she keeled
over, so many walked down her sides
into the water. Some groups of
sailors sang as they sat in the life
boats. Those who went overheard
were picked up on lifeboats and life
RATS. and by many vessels which
hurried to the spot after naval
aviator, soaring high overhead, saw
the cruiser sinking and spread the
alarm. The San Diegos wireless
was wrecked by the first great ex'
| plosion and subsequent smaller ones
A quartermaster, name undis
! closed was last seen standing on
deck at salute as the cruiser plunged
under. One sailor brought ashore
| the ships colors, which he had risk
| ed his life to save. Many survivors
| landed scantily clad, as they had
been in the midst of preparing fol
| shore leave when the cruiser was
hit
| 1856 were Landed
! WASHINGTON, July 20.-The navy
department had fresh reports early to
dav as to the sinking of the United
| States cruiser San Diego, off Fire
| Island at the entrance of New Yorl
harbor, but was withholding then
temporarily until the censor coulc
VIE them.
! The department had been striving
since yesterday TO clear up tne my
stery surrounding her destruction
seeking especially to learn whether
submarine was responsible.
! Many naval officers have had the
idea Germany would resume her Q
boat warfare off the American coast
Z Runlors say that submarine was res
ponsible, but that theory is uncon
I firmed.
The last information made public
was an announcement that 1856 OF
Il l. Inn IL