The Washington herald., 1918-07-23
NAVAL CRAFT
COMB OCEAN
FORSUB-BOAT
Firing Heard OFF Province
town Similar to Depth
Bombs.
u. 5. REPLIES TO HUNS
300, 900 to Be July Troop
Shipments Despite
Frightfulness.
u. S. REPLIES TO HUNS

; Provincetown. Mass. July "a
Heavy cannoading was heard OF
shore here today at 11:45 a. m
Naval vessels have been OF this
port hunting German submarines.
Provincetown harbor Is closed to
all ships.
Explosions resembling those of
tdepth bombs were heard shortly af-
ter 4 q m.
A haze hid the origin Of the FIR
I. ing. but it Is believed naval vessels
may have located a submarine pos
sibly the one which attacked and
destroyed the tug Perth Amboy and
her barges yesterday.
The firing appeared heaviest of a
point between coast guard stations
Nos. 3S and 80. Residents of
Cahoons Hollow. Nauset and Well
feet. all reported hearing the eN-
plosions.
Troops to Go As Usual.
Troop shipments to swell the
great American army in France will
go on undiminished md unafraid-
despite Germany's second U-boac
coastal raid now under way.
July movements will aggregate at
least 10000 men from this side.
The War Department intends to
keep at its accelerated program.
and the, Navy Department is ready
to afford the needed protection This
is the answer today to the new
German effort to shake American
morale and disturb military and
commercial shipping.
Await Report.
The Navy Department last night
was awaiting a complete report re-
garding rumors that bombs, used BY
seaplanes against the submarines of
Cape Cod Sunday. failed to explode.
Meantime no further trace of the
U-bost has been found. although de-
stroyers are combing coast waters in
search of il. II was last reported
southwark bound.
The sound of heavy firing of Prov
incetown yesterday was simply target
practice by two submarin destroy
ers, according to Secretary Daniels
While 1t was regarded as practical
" certain a number fthe bombs
used aaginst the raider failed 10 per-
form up to standard, Secretary
Daniels withheld confirmation until
receipt o fthe report of naval officers
who were dispatched to Chatham and
Orleans, Mass, Sunday night.
Were Depth Bombs.
The bombs used, it was learned,
were depth bombs. and these instru-
ments. Mr.. Daniels explained. have
failed to explode in certain instances
in French and British waters. In a
test of twelve last Saturday, every
one exploded with full effect at a
calculated depth, according to Ad-
miraI Ralph Earle, chief fthe bureau
of ordnance Of the Navy Department.
Best results abroad against u
boats have been obtained by depth
bombs. ii was said. For this rea-
son the present inquiry Is expected
to determine whether or not the
American bombs match up to those
of French and British make.
Get "Poor Piekins.,
The report that the U-boat was
southwark bound received the
greatest attention at the depart.
ment yesterday. but It is evident
officials place reliance in the pro-
lection OF the navy. inasmuch as
no orders have been issued to close
any Of the Atlantic ports. Warn
ings have been flashed. howe<er
to vessels both outward and in
ward bound to be on the watch fol
trouble.
The futility of the Hun attack
of Sunday is still matter of con-
lecture here. 1t is largely regarded
as another instance of "frenzied
psychology" on the part of the en-.
emy and a tacit admission by the
commander Of the undersea vessel
that he failed to bag bigger game
and as a last resort tried to COM
pensate himself with poor pick.
ings."