In the first months of World War I, the United States was still officially neutral, but its ports were already tied to the war overseas. Ships carried horses, mules, supplies, and munitions across the Atlantic, and those cargoes made American harbors places of suspicion and fear.
This 1915 report from New Orleans claimed that police had uncovered a plot to destroy ships after they had gone to sea. The alleged plan involved clockwork “infernal machines” hidden among cargoes bound for the Allied armies.
According to the account, ten Germans were seized, one man confessed, and investigators believed the scheme may have originated in New York.
Ten Germans Seized in New Orleans as Planters of Bombs in Ships
NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana. — An alleged wholesale plot to destroy ships carrying horses and mules or munitions of war to the allied armies was unearthed by the police, following a series of arrests, including ten Germans.
The plan, it is said, was to place infernal machines, operated by clockwork, in the cargoes of the vessels. These machines were to go off after the vessels were well at sea.
The police are working on the theory that the plot was hatched in New York City. One man is said to have confessed and told the full details of his part in the affair. He told a story of how he hoped to achieve fame and a large monetary reward for his work.
The man who confessed is Hans Halle, alias Frank Holn, alias Holmes.
Under police sweating, he poured out a tale of horror that caused his listeners to gasp.
Source: The Citizen. Frederick City, Md. January 1, 1915.
