Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 1:37:28-1:38:46

Did U-152's crew buy newspapers in Rhode Island?

The Rhode Island newspaper story remains uncertain, while Deutschland's commercial voyages provide firmer evidence of German submarine visits to America.

Blockade RunningGerman NavyHistorical MethodMerchant SubmarinesSubmarinesWorld War I
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Question

Did U-152 visit Rhode Island closely enough for crewmen to go ashore and buy newspapers?

Short answer

The story and submarine number remain uncertain, although that kind of bold visit was plausible for the large German cruiser-submarine family.

Notes

The Rhode Island anecdote is not established fact, and the submarine number may be wrong. The related U-151 class did have a documented commercial background, including Deutschland's unarmed cargo voyages between Germany and the United States. Photographs show Deutschland unloading at New London in 1916. Genuine blockade-running operations make the newspaper story plausible without proving its specific details.