Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-08-14
CABINET SESSION
CONSIDERS U-BOATS
Norwegian Steamer Is Latest
Victim of Hun Under
sea Raiders.
TORPEDO HITS COMING BACK
Navy Department Investigates
Reported Scattering of Poison
Gas Off North Carolina.
TORPEDO HITS COMING BACK
tBy Associated Press.l

WASHINGTON. August 13.-German
submarine raids in American waters
were understood to have been dis
eussed to-day at an Unusually pro-
ionsed session OF the Cabinet, but II
any new plans for combating this
menace to helpless fishing craft, light
SHIPS and other vessels were formu-
!ated by President Wilson and his
advisers. the fact was not disclosed.
The only report OF the activities of
the raiders reaching the Navy Depart
ment during tho day told OF the de-
struction of the Norwegian steamer
sommerstad yesterday morning. TWEEN
ty-hve miles southeast OF Fire Island,
y. \. Captain Hansen and his crew
OF thirty men were landed by a naval
patrol boat. which found them at sea
In small boats ten hours after the
steamer went down.
Destruction OF the Somme.stad by
torpedo. which passed under the
ships bow. and later circled and struck
the vessel amidships. gave rise TO
suggestion that the torpedo was con-
troiled by radio on the submarine, but
this was ridiculed by naval experts.
They explained that the course Of
torpedo is regulated by the gyro-
scope. which can be so SGT before
discharge that the weapon will de-
scribe circle. This has seen done
time and again during torpedo prac-
tcc in the American navy. so as to
return the weapon - the ship dis
charging II. high officials said, and It
has not been an uncommon thing for
torpedoes fired by German submarines
TO take similar courses.
with the torpcdo's steering gear
set 30 the weapon will run in a circle.
/, becomes almost doubly effective.
naval officers explained. for IL It
missed the object when speeding on
its outward course. the possibility re-
mains that 1t will strike after it turns
about. possibility that is increased
II tho ship attacked goes full ahead
as the Sommerstad did.
BELIEVE DEADLY GAS
OvERCAME THE GUARD
No additional reports on the depth
bomb attack by an American de-
stroyer on submarine on the Virginia
coast hare reached the Navy Depart
ment but 1t now seems fairly we'll
established that II occurred Sunday.
after gas from oil. supposed TO have
been discharged from a submarine.
overcame six men in the coast guard
station and lighthouse OH Smiths
Island. ~ c.. Sunday evening. While
most naval experts accept with great
reservation the theory that the gas
from a submarine injured the men.
Secretary Daniels said to-day he be-
Ileved the report as given BY the COM
mandAnt OF the coast guard station was
correct 1t was accepted by the
commandant OF the Sixth Naval Dis
trict, who must have thoroughly salts
fed himself concerning 1t. Mr.. Daniels
said. before transmitting It to the
department. Additional reports have
been requested by the department. and
are expected soon.
No previous accounts or gas attacks
by submarines have been received. nor
has there been any information COM
ing TO the department that the U-boats
are equipped for such attacks. Some
officials, however. do not regard it as
at all improbable that. in carrying out
their campaign OF "frightfulness." the
Germans would make whatever use OF
gas by submersibles that might be
found possible.
NORWEGIAN SHIP SENT
DOWN WITHOUT WARNING
The steamer Sommerstad was tor
pedoed without warning and sunk
by German submarine yesterday
morning. twenty-five miles southeast
OF Fire Island. N. Y, the Navy De-
partment was advised to-day by tho
commandant Of Third Naval District.
Captain Hansen and thirty members OF
the crew were rescued by naval
patrol boat. There were no casual
ties.
The captain reported that he saw
the wake OF a torpedo and lmme-
diately under the bow OF the vessel,
passed under the bow OF vessel.
which was drawing only seven feet
OF water. Full speed ahead was then
ordered. but the torpedo turned sharp
ly to the left and returned. hitting the
vessel between the third and fourth
holds on the port side.
The force Of the explosion tore d
great hole in the side Of the skip. and
in five minutes the whole deck amid
ships was awash. The crew succeeded
IN launching two boats. and got away
In safety. They made for Sandy Hook,
and sighted the patrol boat ten hours
later.
The submarine showed only Its peri
scope. which was observed at some
distance. standing some six feet out Of
the water and moving very rapidly.
Naval officials believe this Is the
same raider that accounted for the
British steamer Penistone. the Swed-
ish steamer Sydland and some dozen
fishing boats of the Massachusetts,
coast within the past few days.
Ne further information regarding
the operations Of the raiders, either
on tho North or Middle Atlantic coast
had reached the Navy Department to-
day.
ANOTHER SCHOONER ADDED
TO LIST OF VICTIMS
NANTUCKET, MASS, August Ia