U-Boat Attack on Orleans, Massachusetts

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U-Boat Attack on Orleans, Massachusetts
Part of Atlantic Theater of World War I
Date July 21, 1918 Location Orleans, Massachusetts Result Four barges and one tugboat sunk German Victory
Belligerents
United States Navy	U-156
Commanders
Alebert C. Read	Richard Feldt
First attack on American soil since the War of 1812

In July of 1918, U-156 opened fire on the town of Orleans, Massachusetts and other ships nearby. It was the first time that the United States had been fired upon since the War of 1812.

[edit] Early Morning Attack

On the morning on July 21, 1918, U-156 positioned itself off of Nauset Beach, located in Orleans, Massachusetts. It then opened fire on a tugboat, the Perth Amboy, and its four barges. Men from the nearby Coast Guard Station rushed up to the tower to see what all the commotion was about. One of them called Chatham Naval Air Station to inform them of the U-Boat attack. Reuben Hopkins, one of the men, reached the rail in time to see a shell explode over the tugboat. Reuben remained behind as other men went to rescue those who had come ashore in lifeboats. The tug was quickly sunk and U-156 then started firing upon the barges. Soon, HS-2 and R-9 seaplanes arrived to bomb the U-Boat, but the few bombs that they dropped missed and they had to go back to Chatham to reload. The U-boat then slipped under the waves and went north, where it attacked other ships. A few shells were later found on shore, some also were found in the nearby marsh.

[edit] Effects on Public

The effects on the public were immediate. People began reporting of hearing of gun battles off the coast. Others talked about the supposed "mother ship" for U-156. Newspapers even offered a reward for the discovery of submarine supply bases in the Bay of Fundy. Towns also banned lights for fear that German spies would use them to signal submarines.

[edit] External Links

• The U-Boat That Threatened America