The Baltimore Sabotage Cell: German Agents, American Traitors, and the U-boat Deutschland During World War I by Dwight R. Messimer

Author:Dwight R. Messimer [Messimer, Dwight R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781612518695
Publisher: Naval Institute Press
Published: 2015-03-14T22:00:00+00:00

The U-Bremen in Helgoland, 21 August 1916. This is possibly the last photo taken of the boat. Jørn Jensen collection

The U-Deutschland’s berth in New London, showing the Willehad and the floating fence, which, together with the purpose-built warehouses, completely enclosed the U-Deutschland and virtually prevented public viewing. Security in New London was even tighter than it had been in Baltimore. Library of Congress

On the land side of the box was the two-story EFCO office building. Between the left side of the building and the corrugated-metal fence was a wagon gate with doors that swung out. The company’s belated decision to build a second security fence inside the outer fence proved to be an unexpected benefit to the crowd. Having no materials on hand with which to build the new fence, EFCO had to order lumber from a local yard. As each wagonload of boards and posts arrived, the double gate swung open and the crowd pressed forward to get a quick glimpse through the opening.

Why such tight security? In part it was due to Paul Hilken’s paranoia, which undoubtedly stemmed from his clandestine sabotage activities. The overdone security measures also stemmed from the Germans’ belief that British supporters or even British agents would try to harm the boat in some way. Given Hilken’s other activities and the realities of being in a country where the majority of the people supported the Allies, the need for security was genuine. But the visual secrecy was really Hinsch’s doing. He hated the press, a feeling that Hilken shared. By making the U-Deutschland almost impossible to see or photograph, Hinsch was deliberately making life hard for reporters and cameramen.

Hinsch made no secret of his dislike for newspapermen, and over König’s objection he placed an absolute ban on any newspapermen going on board the U-Deutschland. He would not even let them look at the boat. One reporter wrote that Hinsch had even strung barbed wire along the top of the security fence to prevent them from climbing to the top for a glimpse. Actually, the added topping on the fence was not barbed wire but a six-foot-high canvas screen. König told reporters that he and the EFCO officers, except for Hinsch, “would like to have correspondents go on board rather than take descriptions at second hand.” Unfortunately for König’s wishes and the newsmen, Hinsch was in charge of security.2

But the reporters were not entirely without an opportunity to get a glimpse of the boat, even if the opportunity was some distance away. Ruth Baker, who owned a small, two-story house on a bluff north of the State Pier, was doing a lively business “charging twenty-five cents for a peep at the submarine from the second story.” She gave each customer a set of binoculars to use at no extra cost and by 14 November had reportedly made ninety-five dollars.3

Members of the press can be a pain in the neck under the best conditions, and a huge pain if they put their minds to it. But

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