U-BOAT RAID ON SCARBOROUGH - 4TH SEPTEMBER 1917
‘SHELLED IN THE SURF’
By Special correspondent of the London Daily Mail:
The day had been beautifully fine and there were many merry picnic parties on the coast and moors. Thousands of holiday-makers thronged the north and south beaches and promenades. At a few minutes to seven in the evening, when many people were on their way to the Spa, a loud explosion was heard, followed by others in quick succession. Away in the direction of Filey, three miles out to sea, they could plainly see the outline of a German submarine. People rushed in all directions for help but there was no time to go far. The shelling continued for about ten minutes. Two guns were being used and while some of the shells broke on the foreshore road others travelled over the town and burst from four to five miles from the submarine. The shooting was very erratic and the guns were turned in various directions. One shell struck an empty house in Pavilion Square, the concussion breaking glass at the adjacent railway station. Another burst as far away as Hoxton road, mortally wounding the wife of Police-Constable Scott, who was standing at the door of their house. It also broke the left arm and leg of Alice Appleby, aged 17, of Whitehead Hill. In about ten minutes all was over, the submarine fearing to continue the attack longer, on account of the British mine sweepers which had hastened to the scene. These turned their guns on the submarine, which submerged quickly. About a dozen shells were fired.
BATHERS UNDER FIRE.
Mr Thomas Pickup, aged 64, was killed near his residence in Queen's terrace on the north side, and Annie Bestwick was injured. Many people were boating, fishing and bathing when the submarine opened lire. Bathers made a dash for shelter, but the boating parties had to remain afloat, and as it turned out they were in perfect safety. In his excitement a boy fell over the pier and broke his collarbone. An hour after the submarine had submerged to escape the mine-sweepers the town resumed its normal appearance and the places of entertainment were full. A shell which struck the house occupied by Mr. William Jackson, at 107 Hoxton-road, smashed the brickwork and not a single article of furniture remained whole in the sitting-room. Women's jackets and hats were torn to shreds. At the inquest on Mrs. Scott and Mr. Pickup the coroner said the Germans had the absurd idea that the murder of children, women and old men would cause such terror in England that we would desire a disgraceful peace. It was an utterly foolish dream; the effect would be just the opposite. The jury returned a verdict that the two people were killed during the bombardment of Scarborough by a German submarine. Scarborough, with the Hartlepools and Whitby, was bombarded by German war ships on 14th December, 1914. The number of people killed or who died of their injuries was 178.
