_The First German U-Boat
Attack On American Soil_
In the last war, the one and only attack on American soil by the
Germans was at Orleans, Cape Cod.
On a quiet Sunday morning, July 21, 1918, the submarine, U-156, rose
from the ocean waters a few hundred yards off the Orleans shore. In
full view of numerous cottagers, the enemy sub leisurely began shelling
the defenseless tug Perth Amboy and her three barges.
Exactly why these craft, of no particular military value, were chosen
for attack has never been made known. It may have been an impulsive act
of bravado by the Kaiser’s marauders or, possibly, a scare stunt to
give Americans at home the jitters.
The Americans attacked, managed to get ashore in dories, while
the firing continued. “One observer counted 147 shots.” There
are conflicting versions, naturally, but it is agreed there was
considerable shooting, and the U-boat operated throughout without
meeting resistance.