In the summer of 1916, the first world war raged in Europe and although the United States stayed officially neutral, a powerful blast equaling a 5.5 magnitude earthquake erupted in New York Harbor in the dead of night, shaking nearly every civilian in a 90-mile radius awake, some of whom were violently thrown from their beds, while the Brooklyn Bridge shuddered wildly from the enormous shockwave…
Thick, calcine smoke consumed the post-midnight air, further obfuscating any light not already engulfed by the pitch darkness, be it street lamps or the moon. Under a veil of widespread confusion and chaos, spreading several square miles wide, five poor souls lay dead, victims of two separate fatal blasts, exploding just a half hour apart.
Among them, a Liberty State Park barge captain, local constable James F. Doherty, Lehigh Valley Railroad police chief Joseph Leyden, and tender, ten-week-old infant Arthur Tosson in Jersey City – more than twelve miles away.
That’s how far the destruction carried from the flashpoint in New York City harbor – all the way up 5th Avenue and across the river to New Jersey. Although the loss of life was a devastating tragedy to those few families, hundreds, even thousands more regarded it as nothing short of a miracle. To them, it could only be an act of divine intervention, given the immense scale of destruction maliciously unleashed through the gigantic blasts.
The explosion shattered windows out of the shops up and down 5th Avenue – it also sent shrapnel flying over 2,000 feet away (667 yards or over six and a half football fields) across the water, piercing the torch of the Statue of Liberty and scorching her dress. It even obliterated western Bay Ridge, Brooklyn and Washington Square Park, plus dispersed all sorts of debris over the Brooklyn Bridge and throughout the Valley (what’s now known as SoHo).
But, the cause of the explosion would take much longer to determine. In fact, it took far less time to rebuild and repair all the damage than to identify its true cause. A benefit to the people with the most power at the highest levels of the federal government, who desperately wanted to stay neutral as World War I devolved into utter chaos and carnage. For them, placing the blame where it actually belonged was too politically problematic. Still, one relatively obscure figure, now just a footnote in history, would doggedly seek to uncover the unvarnished truth.
Although, that wouldn’t be an easy task. Just days after the explosion, the United States government reported the cause of the blasts were due to guards lighting smudge pots to ward off mosquitoes. Still, despite the stern proclamation, the public was quite suspicious of the explanation. After all, everyone knew what went on at Black Tom Island, it was a weapons and munitions manufacturing facility, a prime target for nefarious characters seeking to inflict harm on the country.
The name “Black Tom” is said to come from a “dark-skinned” fisherman who lived on the island for many years. The Lehigh Valley Railroad Company filled in the marshland between Black Tom and the mainland from 1905 to 1916, creating the island. Something that became indispensable in the run-up to the first world war.
While the conflict brewed in Europe, the two belligerents’ needs for ammunition, weapons, and material grew enormously. This offered a huge opportunity. The British, French, and Russian Triple Entente Allies bought unprecedented amounts of weapons and munitions from the United States, many of which were manufactured at Black Tom Island.
However, the German and Austria-Hungary Central Powers couldn’t do the same. Not because of the expense, but because a British naval blockade, positioned in the Wadden Sea near the Elbe River, made it virtually impossible to import anything.
That meant Germany had to rely on the next best strategy: destroy the weapons bought by the Allies before they even got out of the factory. Rather than helplessly watching their collective enemy rearm at record rates, the Central Powers constructed a new war plan. But, it was far riskier since it opened wide the possibility the Americans would find out, and that revelation would undoubtedly compel the US to enter the war.
Still, it wasn’t acceptable to capitulate to the Allies. The Central Powers, led by Germany, were determined to win at all costs – a sentiment that would be resurrected and followed to the most extreme in the 1930s and 1940s. To that end, starting in 1914, Imperial Germany coordinated a vast network of spies who not only collected intelligence but also sabotaged ships, factories, railroads, trucks, and more. Some of these spies and saboteurs were German sailors, who were stranded in ports in the US because of the blockade.
As a result, tension increasingly rose between the United States and the Central Powers, most intensely between America and Germany. Because of this, Deutschland took every opportunity to undermine the US’s efforts to assist its nation-state friends, most particularly England. Manifestations of this passive-aggressiveness were common and those actions gradually turned more destructive.
On May 7th, 1915, the RMS Lusitania – a British ocean liner and briefly the world’s largest passenger ship – sank in just twenty minutes in the Celtic Sea. The massive 32,000-ton vessel became a victim of a German torpedo, taking the lives of 1,198 people, including nearly one hundred and thirty Americans. The reason for the attack was justified by Germany as it being a legitimate target because it carried approximately 173 tons of war munitions – all of which were headed straight to Liverpool from New York.
The German government issued an apology and went so far as to promise it would no longer conduct unrestricted submarine warfare. But, six months later, a U-boat sank the Italian cruise ship, SS Ancona, without warning. That attack killed 272 passengers, 27 of which were Americans. These aggressions led the American public to become overtly suspicious of the Germans and contributed to a growing sense the United States would be forced to enter the war.
Regardless of these antagonizations, President Woodrow Wilson held steadfastly to his isolationist position, insisting the country remain neutral. The stance was a centerpiece of his platform and would remain so in his 1916 re-election bid. He believed in it so strongly, that he spent a lot of time and effort trying to broker peace between the two sides, but his diplomacy failed.
Now, on July 30th, 1916, several square miles lie in ruins from two horrific explosions. Blasts so great, they would close the Statue of Liberty’s torch from that day on and force the local municipalities to raze everything on the island after an extensive cleanup operation – an effort that would go on for many months. This required an explanation, but the powers of the time would settle for nothing less than total obfuscation. So, they hatched a devious plot.
When news of the explosion came to President Woodrow Wilson’s Chief of Staff Joseph Patrick Tumulty early the next morning, he immediately called a meeting with Attorney General Thomas W. Gregory. They instantly understood if this was an act of German sabotage, the American public would demand the United States join the Entente Allies to defeat the Central Powers. That was a sentiment neither dared stir, given the President’s campaign platform and his deep desire to stay neutral.
“Thomas, we’ve got to find a way to make this thing go away as quietly as possible!”
“I understand and empathize with your position, but something this large isn’t simply going to disappear, Joe. I know you’re the Chief of Staff, but as Attorney General, I can’t let this just go. There’s got to be accountability. That is unless you have another way out of this?”
“We’ll start with the most believable scenario…an accidental discharge which led to a fire, then boom, boom! Meanwhile, I think it’s highly advisable that we keep our options open. If there’s any pushback from the public, we won’t get caught flat-footed. I suggest we appoint a dedicated investigator to ‘get’ to the bottom of this.”
This wasn’t Joseph Tumulty’s first public-relations rodeo. He instinctively knew there would need to be a plausible explanation – just not one that implicated so-called German expatriates. He didn’t want to fall into the same trap a previous administration did when the USS Maine exploded in Havana harbor nearly two decades prior in 1898.
Tumulty calmly nodded at Attorney General Gregory, casually picked up the nearest telephone, and made a brief call. Moments later, an unfamiliar man dressed in a dark trench coat entered the room. “Attorney General Gregory, may I introduce Dedrick Moulin…he’ll be our point man on this little operation. He’s an expert in dealing with sticky situations.”
Dedrick Moulin carved out a very unique niche and was known only to a select few. He spent a good portion of his professional career running various operations for the Justice Department’s Bureau of Investigation and coordinating various clandestine intelligence actions with the Secret Service.
At this time, the FBI did not exist and the US had no dedicated federal intelligence service. Although, the Justice Department’s Bureau of Investigation did pay particular attention to both German and British nationals living in the United States. Moulin suggested the government wait a few days before reporting its initial findings. And, that’s precisely what happened.
Newspapers printed headlines proclaiming the explosions were indeed caused by negligence. Simultaneously, the papers likewise ran a number of emphatic stories absolving any German nationals of sabotage. The New York Times reported later, “On one point the various investigating bodies agree, and that is that the fire and subsequent explosions cannot be charged to the account of alien plotters against the neutrality of the United States.”
Still, the American people weren’t convinced – not by a long shot. They believed such a disaster wasn’t merely the result of carelessness. Certainly, a few smudge pots could not spark such a dramatic, destructive set of explosions. It had to be deliberate and plenty of rumor and innuendo swirled about, making it all the more plausible it was villainous work – most probably, an act of undercover spies who sought to undermine the country’s efforts to support the Allies.
Dedrick Moulin fully understood the implications. If the people didn’t trust the government, it would lose its credibility. What’s more, should the US enter the war in Europe, the men fighting it would feel conflicted about the administration – whether it was sincere or not. Such considerations made it clear stall tactics were the most suitable. In the meantime, they could leak bits and pieces of misinformation and disinformation to the press.
Although, this strategy would require very careful planning. It would require orchestrating an elaborate scheme. It would require a fall guy, a naive dupe who wasn’t intimately familiar with how things really worked in Washington. After nearly a week, Moulin had found that person. So, he briefly met with Chief of Staff Tumulty and Attorney General Gregory.
“Gentlemen, I believe I have the perfect candidate – Roland Bartlett.”
“Who in the world is Roland Bartlett?”
“A junior congressman, Mr. Tumulty. He took Lawrence Maintland’s seat in a special election when Mr. Maintland died earlier this year. Bartlett ran unopposed because his contender had to drop out of the race – constituents just don’t give their support or votes to a greedy corporate banker who cheats on his wife and gets caught pocketing customer deposits.”
“So, what are his qualifications? Does he have any law enforcement experience or an intelligence background?”
“No, Mr. Gregory…neither of those. In fact, he’s not an attorney, he’s not a forensic auditor, and he wasn’t in the military. Heck, he’s not even an investigative journalist. Just an ordinary guy from a rural district.”
“But, that means he doesn’t have any qualifications to run a thorough investigation – or an investigation of any kind!”
“As I said, he’s the perfect choice.”
“So, what you’re actually saying is we turn over a complex, high-level investigation to someone without the credentials or the fact-finding skills to handle the task at hand precisely because the most likely outcome is utter and complete failure, Mr. Moulin?”
“It will take him months to get to first base. By that time, the country will have largely moved on. And, if they still insist on answers, we simply offer up Bartlett as a sacrificial lamb. Again, he’s the single best choice.”
Moulin’s suggestions were strategically sound from just about every point of view. Naming an unknown, inexperienced individual was indeed the most ingenious way out. Moreover, giving him full autonomy put solid distance between Bartlett and the administration, creating a ton of plausible deniability. But, it all rested on events unfolding in the same manner in which Moulin predicted. Any other means could spell a public relations disaster for the administration and have huge implications on foreign policy, opening the United States to join the war. With the stakes being so high, Moulin put the plan into motion right away.
“Good afternoon, Congressman Bartlett.”
“Hello, to you too, sir. How can I help you today…mister…mister…uh…”
“Oh, I apologize, forgive me for being rude. Here, I brought you a bottle of the finest bourbon in town and a box of Cuban cigars. I’m Dedrick Moulin and I’m here because of the unspeakable atrocity that recently unfolded.”
“All right. But, I’m not sure I follow Mr. Moulin.”
“Well, this is a very delicate matter, as you might imagine. Unfortunately, there’s a substantial gap here. We need someone to head up and coordinate an investigation into the Black Tom Island explosions. And frankly, it’s best if that person is essentially an outsider – an outsider with congressional authority. I’m here to offer you that position.”
“That’s very flattering and I’m thankful for the opportunity. And, thanks for the whiskey and stogies, but I don’t drink or smoke – never have. Anyway, surely there’s someone else who is far more qualified. I couldn’t…”
“Oh, well I suppose I guessed wrong. Next time I’ll bring something more suitable. Now, don’t make the mistake of throwing this unbelievable opportunity away. It’s already been settled. You’re the man.”
“But, this is crazy. I can’t…uh…I mean, I’m not…”
“Listen. This simply cannot be left to career politicians. And, as far as law enforcement is concerned…well, it’s just not sufficient. There’s no way we’re going to get all the players in federal, state, and municipal jurisdictions to work together. It’s got to be done this way.”
“I understand that, but what I still don’t get is why me?”
“As I said before, it’s of the utmost importance that this is handled by an individual with integrity. A person who isn’t beholden to lobbyists and special interest groups. You are that person. Now, I suggest you get started. Here’s a file with all the preliminary information – it’s not much, but it will get you pointed in the right direction. I bid you good day and good luck!”
Bartlett shook Moulin’s hand, took the file, and stood dumbfounded for several moments before collecting his wits and opening the folder. It contained very few pages. Little more than some newspaper clippings and a couple of typed pages, already smudged due to them being shoved into the folder while the ink was still damp. As he looked over the contents, he began to realize just how over his head he was. Still, he was told he’d never make it to Washington. This was a monumental challenge and one he resolved to see through and conquer. So, he set out for the docks where the explosions occurred.
When Bartlett arrived on the scene, the sheer scope of the destruction immediately became apparent. Entire buildings razed as if a category five hurricane had decimated them. Telephone poles laid in the street and those remaining on the ground, bent or broken in half. Vehicles overturned and burn marks scarred nearly everything in sight. The smell of smoke still hung heavy in the air as numerous crews worked diligently cleaning up. Although, little progress could be demonstrably noted.
“Good day to you gentlemen. I’m Congressman Roland Bartlett and I’d just like to have a word with you.”
“Good afternoon to you, sir! How can we help you?”
“I’m conducting an investigation into the explosions and am here to speak with you about constable James F. Doherty and Lehigh Valley Railroad police chief Joseph Leyden. I take it from your uniforms that you both are with the Lehigh Valley Railroad police. Is that correct?”
“That’s right. I’m officer Cinch and this here is officer Strand.”
“My condolences over the loss of your chief.”
“Thank you, Leyden was a very good man.”
“Did you also know constable James Doherty?”
“I think Strand knew him a little, but I didn’t.”
“I’m merely trying to get a sense of who’s who. What’s your gut feeling about how this happened?”
“If you’re asking me ‘on the record,’ I’ll tell you there’s an ongoing investigation and that we’re just rank and file, so we’re not allowed to say anything.”
“I see, officer Cinch. And, if you were asked ‘off the record’?”
“Well, I won’t speak for Strand. But as for myself, it’s clear to me that this wasn’t caused by a couple of night guards lighting smudge pots. Those things have been used for years now and there’s never been any semblance of trouble. Then, all of a sudden, they set off two of the biggest explosions in modern history? I don’t think so…it just doesn’t make sense. Somebody deliberately set off those blasts…wouldn’t surprise me if it was krauts.”
“Cinch is probably on to something there, Congressman. We’ve both noticed suspicious behavior from German nationals – not all of them, mind you, but a few…well, there’s something that just doesn’t add up.”
“What do you mean by that, Officer Strand?”
“Call it intuition. I’ve been at this job for fifteen years now. Cinch is two years my senior. And, we know when something is awry, and trust us, it’s there. Again, it’s definitely not every one of them, not even close. But, there are a few that just put off a bad vibe. It only comes from the ethnic Germans – not the Irish or Italians.”
“Do you know where I can find those individuals?”
“Sure, we can give you a couple of spots. But, keep a low profile. They’ll calm up if they think you’re poking your nose in where it doesn’t belong.”
“Thank you, thank you both. Now, if you could also tell me where I can find the dockmaster – I’d be very appreciative.”
Bartlett furiously scribbled down a few notes, took a long look around, and made his way over to the dockmaster’s office. There, he would try to find more information and perhaps, some actual answers. But, he couldn’t be prepared for what he heard next.
“Hello, I’m looking for Bernard Polk, the dockmaster – could you tell me where I might find him?”
“You’re speaking with him, Mister.”
“Well, pleased to meet you. My name is Roland Bartlett, I’m a congressman in the US House of Representatives and I understand you were on the scene shortly after the explosions on the 30th. Is that right Mr. Polk?”
“Call me Bernie – everyone else does. Yes, that’s right. I got here at five o’clock…explosions went off around two in the morning. It was pure pandemonium…never seen anything like it before. Fires were burning everywhere and a couple of ship hulls were blasted clean open. All kinds of debris floating as far as the eye could see up and down the Hudson. Mr. Chester over there arrived not much later – about forty-five minutes after me.”
“Mr. Chester?”
“Yes, that gentleman over there. He’s a demolitions expert…worked in the factory that manufactured the munitions. Now, he spends all of his time on the aftermath…been taking inventory and such.”
“Is that right?”
“Well, how many people were working when the blasts went off?”
“Dozens…at least dozens…probably as many as thirty-plus folks.”
“At two in the morning?”
“The factory ran three shifts.”
“But, there’s only been a few deaths reported. See, right here in this newspaper article, there’s just a Liberty State Park barge captain, constable Doherty, and Lehigh Valley Railroad police chief Joseph Leyden.”
“I know…nothing short of a miracle, Mr. Bartlett…nothing short of a miracle.”
“And, how many of the ships in the harbor had crews on them?”
“None that I know of Congressman.”
“Well, that’s certainly good news.”
“If you’re looking for bad news, then you’ve got to speak with Mr. Chester from the factory – he’s full of it.”
Bartlett thanked the dockmaster, jotted down some notes, and approached the demolitions expert.
“Mr. Chester?”
“Yes?”
“My name is Roland Bartlett. I’m a congressman who is investigating the explosions. The dockmaster thinks you might be of some help with that.”
“I don’t know how much…not much to say, really.”
“What do you mean by that, may I ask?”
“Well, Congressman Bartlett, I’ve been the head of research and development for the factory for many years. And I can tell you that not one thing we made there had anything to do with the blasts. Every marker I’ve looked for just isn’t present…it’s as though there was no detonator at all. And, that’s quite odd, considering a detonator would be absolutely necessary.”
“So, you’re quite confident that it wasn’t merely an accident?”
“Sure, there’s always a possibility. But, the probability is so low, that it’s just not a realistic conclusion. In my opinion, this was done purposely. You see, the protocols we follow for loading and unloading munitions are very strict. Anyone who doesn’t follow them precisely, step by step, is putting himself and everyone else in danger. It’s a fireable offense. Then, there’s the nature of the blasts – they are totally consistent with being intentionally set off. The trouble is, I can’t prove it. Still, I’m quite certain this was deliberate.”
That evening, Bartlett found out firsthand that officers Strand and Cinch were spot-on. He visited two spots they suggested but no one was willing to talk to him about the explosions. All he got was polite but annoyed rejections, every single individual he attempted to speak with refused. Most were actually quite cheerful, but his presence was unmistakably unwelcome. They weren’t going to give him any information.
Now, all he had is the intuition of two cops and an emphatic assertion by an explosives expert. Still, combined with the resistance he encountered, it made him suspicious the explosions were indeed part of a diabolical plot. With the United States quietly supplying the Entente Allies to defeat the Central Powers, no other explanation made much sense. That is, unless the smudge pots did somehow set off the blasts.
Although, if that was the case, if it was truly an accident, why was it so destructive? Why were entire ships blown apart? Why did the blasts travel such great distances? Bartlett could only surmise an accident would have been random and most likely, far, far less destructive. The timing also seemed odd – 2 am in the morning – when relatively few people were present. Surely, the cover of darkness and the lack of workers, along with a very small law enforcement presence were much more accommodating to saboteurs.
Also, the sinking of the RMS Lusitania occurred about a year earlier, and the subsequent torpedoing of the SS Ancona six months after. These were deliberate, atrocious acts done without regard for human life and the result of desperation. So, what’s to say the German government wasn’t somehow behind these two explosions?
Although, Bartlett was fully aware that he might be jumping to a wild conclusion. After all, he didn’t have any solid proof, merely opinions. So, he needed more – a lot more to get a true idea of what really caused the explosions on Black Tom Island.
The next four days of inquiry would produce the same as the first: speculation, assumptions, conjecture, strong opinions, and unfounded assertions. Although, all the information he gathered did point in one immutable direction. But, If he was going to make any headway whatsoever, he needed actual answers, and there was only one way he knew to do that.
When morning came, Bartlett went to the German embassy and asked to speak with Johann von Bernstorff, who had served in the diplomatic role since 1908. But, he was instead introduced to a low-level attache who offered little more than double-speak and patronization. Disappointed and disheartened, he left the building with nothing that he didn’t already have, save ostensible, likely empty promises and vague reassurances that the embassy office would do everything it could to assist.
“If you’re looking for cooperation, you won’t find it in there, Congressman Bartlett.”
“Excuse me, do I know you?”
“No, I don’t believe so. I’m Elias Wyss.”
“Pleased to meet you, Mr. Wyss.”
“I am also pleased to meet your acquaintance. And, please, call me Elias.”
“Thank you, how can I help you?”
“Actually, I’m here to lend my assistance. You’ve been conducting an investigation for nearly an entire week now, and you’ve not come up with anything.”
“How do you know that?”
“Well, congressman, word travels quickly. And, the way you’re going about it is attracting a lot of attention – in all the wrong places – I might add. If you’re going to get to the bottom of the matter, you need to take a different approach.”
“I appreciate your input, but I’m not sure I follow. What’s your interest in this, Mr. Wyss?”
“Elias.”
“Yes, Elias.”
“Let’s just say that your country and mine have mutual interests.”
“Which country, may I ask?”
“Switzerland.”
“Switzerland? Your country is decidedly neutral – just as ours.”
“Armed neutrality doesn’t necessarily equal indifference. My country has vested interests of its own and those interests must be actively protected. My guess is these types of incidents are more prevalent than one would think, it’s just that nobody has thought to connect the dots.”
Elias Wyss spent many years in the Swiss military intelligence community. He knew from experience the best ways to go about digging up information, and uncovering secrets kept close to the vest. He also had a personal distrust of the German government and thought the Deutschland, bordering his home country, had designs to erase that boundary. After all, it was unprecedented. The Swabian War may have been centuries ago, waged in 1499, but it wasn’t until 1648 that the Treaty of Westphalia granted Switzerland its independence from the German Empire.
With a new war being fought so fiercely to gain or retake territory in Europe, it certainly wasn’t an ambition that was out of the question. Germany could indeed seek to annex other independent nation states and the most likely ones were on its borders. Any help he could lend to such a powerful, potential ally would be prudent. Now, Elias needed to point the congressman in the right direction.
“Connected the dots? Hmm. I never thought of that – thank you for the advice.”
“You’ll need more than just advice. Tell me, Mr. Bartlett, how did you come into this particular investigatory role?”
Roland suddenly realized why he was chosen. He had no prior law enforcement or intelligence experience. No military or investigative experience of any kind. He was completely out of his element, totally out of his league, and had very little idea of what to actually do. He was being used or possibly, set up – it all made sense now.
“So, I should be connecting the dots, so to speak?”
“Yes, you should. But, you’ll also need some direct evidence to follow. The best place to start with that is on the street. A former door-to-door salesman ought to be pretty good with that.”
“You seem to know a whole lot more about me than I do you, Elias.”
“Forgive my forwardness, I don’t mean to offend or be rude. It’s just that I’m accustomed to being familiar with situations before I step into them. Wouldn’t you agree it’s far better to be prepared, to as you Americans say, ‘be in the know,’ than not?”
“Agreed.”
“Thank you.”
“Please excuse me, I have to make a brief phone call – if you don’t mind.”
“Not at all.”
Roland walked to the nearest payphone, dropped in a coin, and instructed his staff to compile a list of all the ammunition manufacturing plants in the country. “Let me know when you have all the information put together, so I can take it to the Library of Congress as soon as possible.”
“Library of Congress?”
“So, you overheard…”
“Sorry about that, old habits die hard.”
“Understood. Yes, the Library of Congress. Once I have a list of all the weapons manufacturers, I can have it cross-referenced with newspaper reports about these types of instances. Perhaps, we’ll see a pattern. At the very least, we’ll know if it appears coordinated or if it’s a real problem about which we should be aware of and take appropriate action.”
“Good idea. Now, you’re thinking like an investigator, congressman.”
“Actually, Elias, I’m thinking like a door-to-door salesman. You see, a good salesman identifies his customers’ needs and then presents a solution – hopefully, this will provide us with a solution.”
“Since you’re in the right frame of mind, what’s next?”
Roland paused to think about the answer. “Are you trying to tell me something?”
“I suppose. Let’s assume we learn this isn’t just a random act of violence – maybe it’s a coordinated effort. Then what? Who are you going to tell? I take it you’re not familiar with the people who put you in this position. That means they’re not going to let such a ‘plot’ come to light.”
Elias had a profound, perturbing point. Dedrick Moulin was a complete stranger and Roland didn’t know a thing about the man. Nor did he have any idea who – if anyone – Moulin was working for. Such a situation would only be beneficial to others, but definitely not to the junior congressman. Such a revelation prompted him to defer to Elias’ expertise.
“What do you suggest?”
“Well, Mr. Bartlett. In my experience, I’ve found that it’s advantageous to get a sense of things from the bottom up. Sometimes, it’s better to start there than to try and gain a top-down view. So, let’s stop in a couple of places where we might get some useful information!”
“If you’re talking about cozying up to German nationals, forget it. I’ve already tried that…it didn’t work.”
“That’s because you don’t speak their native language – you don’t understand their culture…but I do. Let me take a stab at it.”
It was a worthwhile move. Within a few hours, the two learned a great deal. Berlin was actively encouraging ethnic Germans to do their part to help win the war in Europe. And some of the locals had first-hand knowledge of money trading hands to undermine the United States’ support of the Allies. Willing participants would receive cash or be given various gifts for their cooperation. What’s more, this had been going on for many months and some even told the two that the effort spanned across the country. Although the informants were proud of their nationality and heritage, their loyalty was ultimately to their adopted nation, a country that gave them so much opportunity and provided them with a good standard of living.
In the days that followed, their hunch paid off. Staff at the Library of Congress were able to cross-reference the manufacturing plants with a number of newspaper articles, all reporting on various “accidents,” and “suspicious incidents” throughout the country.
It was indeed a coordinated effort by the Central Powers, most particularly, Germany, to sabotage American weapons makers who were selling their arms to the Allied forces. It was a stunning, but not altogether surprising revelation. Now, Roland and Elias had to do something about it to bring the plot to an end. Even if it meant putting themselves in danger.
“We should bring this information to the State Department, and to the Department of War. Even if the explosions at Black Tom Island weren’t sabotaged, it’s imperative our diplomats and military are aware of this destructive coordination.”
“Not so fast, Roland. Not so fast. We don’t know who we can trust. Tell me, do you honestly believe that the powers that be are completely unaware of what’s going on? I mean, it only took us a week to piece it together, the war has been going on for over two years now, and the Black Tom blasts essentially marked the second anniversary of the commencement of the war. Trust me my friend, when it comes to war and politics, nothing is impossible, nothing.”
“Yes, that’s an excellent point. So, what is our strategy? Where do we go from here? If your suspicions are correct, exposing this won’t be easy. I can’t possibly call for a committee to investigate when we don’t know who’s in on it and/or who knows or suspects it’s happening because that will show our cards.”
“We need to be careful. Let’s follow some of the names we’ve gathered through informants. We’re bound to pick up a trail. It’s entirely possible there’s a whole network operating right here on American soil. Maybe a ring so large, stretched across so much territory, that no one has put the puzzle together. If we find enough pieces, we can solve that puzzle.”
“But, what then, Elias? As you said before, we don’t know who in the government we can trust.”
“That’s where gumshoe journalists come in handy, Roland. We can send out all the evidence we’ve collected anonymously to several publications simultaneously and they’ll trip over one another trying to get it to print first. Once the public knows what’s going on, it’s game over for the saboteurs and anyone or thing that’s funding their operations.”
Elias’ instincts proved dead-on accurate. In only days, the two had enough information to lead them both right to the doorstep of Johann von Bernstorffthe German ambassador to the US who refused to meet with the junior congressman. Now, they knew why the diplomat declined and sent an attache instead.
But, their findings also had enormous implications. Plus, there still wasn’t any way to know if there were other high-level conspirators. That left the two with no other choice – they had to leak the information to the press. But, that meant having to remain anonymous. And for Roland, it would be imperative to maintain his role without tipping his hand.
“I’ve not heard from you for some time now, Congressman Bartlett. I trust the investigation is going well?”
“Yes, Mr. Moulin. It is. I’ve gathered a lot of information. Now, I’m doing my best to piece it all together. Looks like however the explosions happened, they didn’t leave a trace behind. It’s a real shame because that means it will leave us unable to determine the cause. Although, it doesn’t mean it was deliberate…could have been an unfortunate accident.”
“My, that’s terrible news. You know, I’ve had the chance to speak with many people over the past week – it’s simply astonishing how many coincidences and tragedies occur without any good explanation. Perhaps this incident will serve a good purpose. Maybe it will help to improve workplace safety. After all, carelessness can inflict all sorts of damage – even get folks killed. Take for instance this recent newspaper story, ‘Swiss National’s Disappearance a Mystery to Family, Law Enforcement.’ It would seem no one is safe from the unthinkable.”
Two days later, Elias’ body was found. With it was a suicide note. Later that same week, a newspaper headline reported: “Intoxicated Freshman Congressman Roland Barlett involved in Fatal Vehicle Crash.”
The extravagant cover-up wouldn’t last, though. In the months and years that followed, a number of events shed light on what actually happened at Black Tom Island and the extent of German sabotage against weapons manufacturers in the US, as well as against shipping companies who transported their munitions.
Johann von Bernstorff, the German ambassador to the US from 1908 to 1917, oversaw the spy network, while simultaneously maintaining diplomatic relations with America. He was supposed to lead the effort to buy up the bulk of US-made munitions before the Allied countries could purchase them. But, there was just too much. In fact, Captain Franz von Rintelen of the Imperial German Navy, wrote, “The daily production was so great, that if I had bought up the [entire] market on Tuesday, there would still be an enormous fresh supply on Wednesday.”
Still, the blasts set off on Black Tom Island weren’t enough to push the US president into joining the war. That came almost a year later, with the interception of the Zimmermann Telegram in January 1917. British intelligence captured the communication sent from Germany to Mexico. It proposed an alliance between the two nations, promising the South American country that land it had lost to the United States would be returned after the war.
On April 2, 1917, President Wilson abandoned his policy of neutrality and asked Congress to declare war against Germany and the Central Powers and on April 6, 1917, the US officially entered the war.
It was later learned that the Black Tom Island explosions were set off by chemicals in a two-chamber tube, shaped like a cigar, separated by copper that dissolves, sparking a super-hot flame. The devices themselves would incinerate, leaving no trace and thereby, no evidence of what started the fires or triggered the explosions.
Written August 2022
In the summer of 1916, the first world war raged in Europe and although the United States stayed officially neutral, a powerful blast equaling a 5.5 magnitude earthquake erupted in New York Harbor in the dead of night, shaking nearly every civilian in a 90-mile radius awake, some of whom were violently thrown from their beds, while the Brooklyn Bridge shuddered wildly from the enormous shockwave…
Thick, calcine smoke consumed the post-midnight air, further obfuscating any light not already engulfed by the pitch darkness, be it street lamps or the moon. Under a veil of widespread confusion and chaos, spreading several square miles wide, five poor souls lay dead, victims of two separate fatal blasts, exploding just a half hour apart.
Among them, a Liberty State Park barge captain, local constable James F. Doherty, Lehigh Valley Railroad police chief Joseph Leyden, and tender, ten-week-old infant Arthur Tosson in Jersey City – more than twelve miles away.
That’s how far the destruction carried from the flashpoint in New York City harbor – all the way up 5th Avenue and across the river to New Jersey. Although the loss of life was a devastating tragedy to those few families, hundreds, even thousands more regarded it as nothing short of a miracle. To them, it could only be an act of divine intervention, given the immense scale of destruction maliciously unleashed through the gigantic blasts.
The explosion shattered windows out of the shops up and down 5th Avenue – it also sent shrapnel flying over 2,000 feet away (667 yards or over six and a half football fields) across the water, piercing the torch of the Statue of Liberty and scorching her dress. It even obliterated western Bay Ridge, Brooklyn and Washington Square Park, plus dispersed all sorts of debris over the Brooklyn Bridge and throughout the Valley (what’s now known as SoHo).
But, the cause of the explosion would take much longer to determine. In fact, it took far less time to rebuild and repair all the damage than to identify its true cause. A benefit to the people with the most power at the highest levels of the federal government, who desperately wanted to stay neutral as World War I devolved into utter chaos and carnage. For them, placing the blame where it actually belonged was too politically problematic. Still, one relatively obscure figure, now just a footnote in history, would doggedly seek to uncover the unvarnished truth.
Although, that wouldn’t be an easy task. Just days after the explosion, the United States government reported the cause of the blasts were due to guards lighting smudge pots to ward off mosquitoes. Still, despite the stern proclamation, the public was quite suspicious of the explanation. After all, everyone knew what went on at Black Tom Island, it was a weapons and munitions manufacturing facility, a prime target for nefarious characters seeking to inflict harm on the country.
The name “Black Tom” is said to come from a “dark-skinned” fisherman who lived on the island for many years. The Lehigh Valley Railroad Company filled in the marshland between Black Tom and the mainland from 1905 to 1916, creating the island. Something that became indispensable in the run-up to the first world war.
While the conflict brewed in Europe, the two belligerents’ needs for ammunition, weapons, and material grew enormously. This offered a huge opportunity. The British, French, and Russian Triple Entente Allies bought unprecedented amounts of weapons and munitions from the United States, many of which were manufactured at Black Tom Island.
However, the German and Austria-Hungary Central Powers couldn’t do the same. Not because of the expense, but because a British naval blockade, positioned in the Wadden Sea near the Elbe River, made it virtually impossible to import anything.
That meant Germany had to rely on the next best strategy: destroy the weapons bought by the Allies before they even got out of the factory. Rather than helplessly watching their collective enemy rearm at record rates, the Central Powers constructed a new war plan. But, it was far riskier since it opened wide the possibility the Americans would find out, and that revelation would undoubtedly compel the US to enter the war.
Still, it wasn’t acceptable to capitulate to the Allies. The Central Powers, led by Germany, were determined to win at all costs – a sentiment that would be resurrected and followed to the most extreme in the 1930s and 1940s. To that end, starting in 1914, Imperial Germany coordinated a vast network of spies who not only collected intelligence but also sabotaged ships, factories, railroads, trucks, and more. Some of these spies and saboteurs were German sailors, who were stranded in ports in the US because of the blockade.
As a result, tension increasingly rose between the United States and the Central Powers, most intensely between America and Germany. Because of this, Deutschland took every opportunity to undermine the US’s efforts to assist its nation-state friends, most particularly England. Manifestations of this passive-aggressiveness were common and those actions gradually turned more destructive.
On May 7th, 1915, the RMS Lusitania – a British ocean liner and briefly the world’s largest passenger ship – sank in just twenty minutes in the Celtic Sea. The massive 32,000-ton vessel became a victim of a German torpedo, taking the lives of 1,198 people, including nearly one hundred and thirty Americans. The reason for the attack was justified by Germany as it being a legitimate target because it carried approximately 173 tons of war munitions – all of which were headed straight to Liverpool from New York.
The German government issued an apology and went so far as to promise it would no longer conduct unrestricted submarine warfare. But, six months later, a U-boat sank the Italian cruise ship, SS Ancona, without warning. That attack killed 272 passengers, 27 of which were Americans. These aggressions led the American public to become overtly suspicious of the Germans and contributed to a growing sense the United States would be forced to enter the war.
Regardless of these antagonizations, President Woodrow Wilson held steadfastly to his isolationist position, insisting the country remain neutral. The stance was a centerpiece of his platform and would remain so in his 1916 re-election bid. He believed in it so strongly, that he spent a lot of time and effort trying to broker peace between the two sides, but his diplomacy failed.
Now, on July 30th, 1916, several square miles lie in ruins from two horrific explosions. Blasts so great, they would close the Statue of Liberty’s torch from that day on and force the local municipalities to raze everything on the island after an extensive cleanup operation – an effort that would go on for many months. This required an explanation, but the powers of the time would settle for nothing less than total obfuscation. So, they hatched a devious plot.
When news of the explosion came to President Woodrow Wilson’s Chief of Staff Joseph Patrick Tumulty early the next morning, he immediately called a meeting with Attorney General Thomas W. Gregory. They instantly understood if this was an act of German sabotage, the American public would demand the United States join the Entente Allies to defeat the Central Powers. That was a sentiment neither dared stir, given the President’s campaign platform and his deep desire to stay neutral.
“Thomas, we’ve got to find a way to make this thing go away as quietly as possible!”
“I understand and empathize with your position, but something this large isn’t simply going to disappear, Joe. I know you’re the Chief of Staff, but as Attorney General, I can’t let this just go. There’s got to be accountability. That is unless you have another way out of this?”
“We’ll start with the most believable scenario…an accidental discharge which led to a fire, then boom, boom! Meanwhile, I think it’s highly advisable that we keep our options open. If there’s any pushback from the public, we won’t get caught flat-footed. I suggest we appoint a dedicated investigator to ‘get’ to the bottom of this.”
This wasn’t Joseph Tumulty’s first public-relations rodeo. He instinctively knew there would need to be a plausible explanation – just not one that implicated so-called German expatriates. He didn’t want to fall into the same trap a previous administration did when the USS Maine exploded in Havana harbor nearly two decades prior in 1898.
Tumulty calmly nodded at Attorney General Gregory, casually picked up the nearest telephone, and made a brief call. Moments later, an unfamiliar man dressed in a dark trench coat entered the room. “Attorney General Gregory, may I introduce Dedrick Moulin…he’ll be our point man on this little operation. He’s an expert in dealing with sticky situations.”
Dedrick Moulin carved out a very unique niche and was known only to a select few. He spent a good portion of his professional career running various operations for the Justice Department’s Bureau of Investigation and coordinating various clandestine intelligence actions with the Secret Service.
At this time, the FBI did not exist and the US had no dedicated federal intelligence service. Although, the Justice Department’s Bureau of Investigation did pay particular attention to both German and British nationals living in the United States. Moulin suggested the government wait a few days before reporting its initial findings. And, that’s precisely what happened.
Newspapers printed headlines proclaiming the explosions were indeed caused by negligence. Simultaneously, the papers likewise ran a number of emphatic stories absolving any German nationals of sabotage. The New York Times reported later, “On one point the various investigating bodies agree, and that is that the fire and subsequent explosions cannot be charged to the account of alien plotters against the neutrality of the United States.”
Still, the American people weren’t convinced – not by a long shot. They believed such a disaster wasn’t merely the result of carelessness. Certainly, a few smudge pots could not spark such a dramatic, destructive set of explosions. It had to be deliberate and plenty of rumor and innuendo swirled about, making it all the more plausible it was villainous work – most probably, an act of undercover spies who sought to undermine the country’s efforts to support the Allies.
Dedrick Moulin fully understood the implications. If the people didn’t trust the government, it would lose its credibility. What’s more, should the US enter the war in Europe, the men fighting it would feel conflicted about the administration – whether it was sincere or not. Such considerations made it clear stall tactics were the most suitable. In the meantime, they could leak bits and pieces of misinformation and disinformation to the press.
Although, this strategy would require very careful planning. It would require orchestrating an elaborate scheme. It would require a fall guy, a naive dupe who wasn’t intimately familiar with how things really worked in Washington. After nearly a week, Moulin had found that person. So, he briefly met with Chief of Staff Tumulty and Attorney General Gregory.
“Gentlemen, I believe I have the perfect candidate – Roland Bartlett.”
“Who in the world is Roland Bartlett?”
“A junior congressman, Mr. Tumulty. He took Lawrence Maintland’s seat in a special election when Mr. Maintland died earlier this year. Bartlett ran unopposed because his contender had to drop out of the race – constituents just don’t give their support or votes to a greedy corporate banker who cheats on his wife and gets caught pocketing customer deposits.”
“So, what are his qualifications? Does he have any law enforcement experience or an intelligence background?”
“No, Mr. Gregory…neither of those. In fact, he’s not an attorney, he’s not a forensic auditor, and he wasn’t in the military. Heck, he’s not even an investigative journalist. Just an ordinary guy from a rural district.”
“But, that means he doesn’t have any qualifications to run a thorough investigation – or an investigation of any kind!”
“As I said, he’s the perfect choice.”
“So, what you’re actually saying is we turn over a complex, high-level investigation to someone without the credentials or the fact-finding skills to handle the task at hand precisely because the most likely outcome is utter and complete failure, Mr. Moulin?”
“It will take him months to get to first base. By that time, the country will have largely moved on. And, if they still insist on answers, we simply offer up Bartlett as a sacrificial lamb. Again, he’s the single best choice.”
Moulin’s suggestions were strategically sound from just about every point of view. Naming an unknown, inexperienced individual was indeed the most ingenious way out. Moreover, giving him full autonomy put solid distance between Bartlett and the administration, creating a ton of plausible deniability. But, it all rested on events unfolding in the same manner in which Moulin predicted. Any other means could spell a public relations disaster for the administration and have huge implications on foreign policy, opening the United States to join the war. With the stakes being so high, Moulin put the plan into motion right away.
“Good afternoon, Congressman Bartlett.”
“Hello, to you too, sir. How can I help you today…mister…mister…uh…”
“Oh, I apologize, forgive me for being rude. Here, I brought you a bottle of the finest bourbon in town and a box of Cuban cigars. I’m Dedrick Moulin and I’m here because of the unspeakable atrocity that recently unfolded.”
“All right. But, I’m not sure I follow Mr. Moulin.”
“Well, this is a very delicate matter, as you might imagine. Unfortunately, there’s a substantial gap here. We need someone to head up and coordinate an investigation into the Black Tom Island explosions. And frankly, it’s best if that person is essentially an outsider – an outsider with congressional authority. I’m here to offer you that position.”
“That’s very flattering and I’m thankful for the opportunity. And, thanks for the whiskey and stogies, but I don’t drink or smoke – never have. Anyway, surely there’s someone else who is far more qualified. I couldn’t…”
“Oh, well I suppose I guessed wrong. Next time I’ll bring something more suitable. Now, don’t make the mistake of throwing this unbelievable opportunity away. It’s already been settled. You’re the man.”
“But, this is crazy. I can’t…uh…I mean, I’m not…”
“Listen. This simply cannot be left to career politicians. And, as far as law enforcement is concerned…well, it’s just not sufficient. There’s no way we’re going to get all the players in federal, state, and municipal jurisdictions to work together. It’s got to be done this way.”
“I understand that, but what I still don’t get is why me?”
“As I said before, it’s of the utmost importance that this is handled by an individual with integrity. A person who isn’t beholden to lobbyists and special interest groups. You are that person. Now, I suggest you get started. Here’s a file with all the preliminary information – it’s not much, but it will get you pointed in the right direction. I bid you good day and good luck!”
Bartlett shook Moulin’s hand, took the file, and stood dumbfounded for several moments before collecting his wits and opening the folder. It contained very few pages. Little more than some newspaper clippings and a couple of typed pages, already smudged due to them being shoved into the folder while the ink was still damp. As he looked over the contents, he began to realize just how over his head he was. Still, he was told he’d never make it to Washington. This was a monumental challenge and one he resolved to see through and conquer. So, he set out for the docks where the explosions occurred.
When Bartlett arrived on the scene, the sheer scope of the destruction immediately became apparent. Entire buildings razed as if a category five hurricane had decimated them. Telephone poles laid in the street and those remaining on the ground, bent or broken in half. Vehicles overturned and burn marks scarred nearly everything in sight. The smell of smoke still hung heavy in the air as numerous crews worked diligently cleaning up. Although, little progress could be demonstrably noted.
“Good day to you gentlemen. I’m Congressman Roland Bartlett and I’d just like to have a word with you.”
“Good afternoon to you, sir! How can we help you?”
“I’m conducting an investigation into the explosions and am here to speak with you about constable James F. Doherty and Lehigh Valley Railroad police chief Joseph Leyden. I take it from your uniforms that you both are with the Lehigh Valley Railroad police. Is that correct?”
“That’s right. I’m officer Cinch and this here is officer Strand.”
“My condolences over the loss of your chief.”
“Thank you, Leyden was a very good man.”
“Did you also know constable James Doherty?”
“I think Strand knew him a little, but I didn’t.”
“I’m merely trying to get a sense of who’s who. What’s your gut feeling about how this happened?”
“If you’re asking me ‘on the record,’ I’ll tell you there’s an ongoing investigation and that we’re just rank and file, so we’re not allowed to say anything.”
“I see, officer Cinch. And, if you were asked ‘off the record’?”
“Well, I won’t speak for Strand. But as for myself, it’s clear to me that this wasn’t caused by a couple of night guards lighting smudge pots. Those things have been used for years now and there’s never been any semblance of trouble. Then, all of a sudden, they set off two of the biggest explosions in modern history? I don’t think so…it just doesn’t make sense. Somebody deliberately set off those blasts…wouldn’t surprise me if it was krauts.”
“Cinch is probably on to something there, Congressman. We’ve both noticed suspicious behavior from German nationals – not all of them, mind you, but a few…well, there’s something that just doesn’t add up.”
“What do you mean by that, Officer Strand?”
“Call it intuition. I’ve been at this job for fifteen years now. Cinch is two years my senior. And, we know when something is awry, and trust us, it’s there. Again, it’s definitely not every one of them, not even close. But, there are a few that just put off a bad vibe. It only comes from the ethnic Germans – not the Irish or Italians.”
“Do you know where I can find those individuals?”
“Sure, we can give you a couple of spots. But, keep a low profile. They’ll calm up if they think you’re poking your nose in where it doesn’t belong.”
“Thank you, thank you both. Now, if you could also tell me where I can find the dockmaster – I’d be very appreciative.”
Bartlett furiously scribbled down a few notes, took a long look around, and made his way over to the dockmaster’s office. There, he would try to find more information and perhaps, some actual answers. But, he couldn’t be prepared for what he heard next.
“Hello, I’m looking for Bernard Polk, the dockmaster – could you tell me where I might find him?”
“You’re speaking with him, Mister.”
“Well, pleased to meet you. My name is Roland Bartlett, I’m a congressman in the US House of Representatives and I understand you were on the scene shortly after the explosions on the 30th. Is that right Mr. Polk?”
“Call me Bernie – everyone else does. Yes, that’s right. I got here at five o’clock…explosions went off around two in the morning. It was pure pandemonium…never seen anything like it before. Fires were burning everywhere and a couple of ship hulls were blasted clean open. All kinds of debris floating as far as the eye could see up and down the Hudson. Mr. Chester over there arrived not much later – about forty-five minutes after me.”
“Mr. Chester?”
“Yes, that gentleman over there. He’s a demolitions expert…worked in the factory that manufactured the munitions. Now, he spends all of his time on the aftermath…been taking inventory and such.”
“Is that right?”
“Well, how many people were working when the blasts went off?”
“Dozens…at least dozens…probably as many as thirty-plus folks.”
“At two in the morning?”
“The factory ran three shifts.”
“But, there’s only been a few deaths reported. See, right here in this newspaper article, there’s just a Liberty State Park barge captain, constable Doherty, and Lehigh Valley Railroad police chief Joseph Leyden.”
“I know…nothing short of a miracle, Mr. Bartlett…nothing short of a miracle.”
“And, how many of the ships in the harbor had crews on them?”
“None that I know of Congressman.”
“Well, that’s certainly good news.”
“If you’re looking for bad news, then you’ve got to speak with Mr. Chester from the factory – he’s full of it.”
Bartlett thanked the dockmaster, jotted down some notes, and approached the demolitions expert.
“Mr. Chester?”
“Yes?”
“My name is Roland Bartlett. I’m a congressman who is investigating the explosions. The dockmaster thinks you might be of some help with that.”
“I don’t know how much…not much to say, really.”
“What do you mean by that, may I ask?”
“Well, Congressman Bartlett, I’ve been the head of research and development for the factory for many years. And I can tell you that not one thing we made there had anything to do with the blasts. Every marker I’ve looked for just isn’t present…it’s as though there was no detonator at all. And, that’s quite odd, considering a detonator would be absolutely necessary.”
“So, you’re quite confident that it wasn’t merely an accident?”
“Sure, there’s always a possibility. But, the probability is so low, that it’s just not a realistic conclusion. In my opinion, this was done purposely. You see, the protocols we follow for loading and unloading munitions are very strict. Anyone who doesn’t follow them precisely, step by step, is putting himself and everyone else in danger. It’s a fireable offense. Then, there’s the nature of the blasts – they are totally consistent with being intentionally set off. The trouble is, I can’t prove it. Still, I’m quite certain this was deliberate.”
That evening, Bartlett found out firsthand that officers Strand and Cinch were spot-on. He visited two spots they suggested but no one was willing to talk to him about the explosions. All he got was polite but annoyed rejections, every single individual he attempted to speak with refused. Most were actually quite cheerful, but his presence was unmistakably unwelcome. They weren’t going to give him any information.
Now, all he had is the intuition of two cops and an emphatic assertion by an explosives expert. Still, combined with the resistance he encountered, it made him suspicious the explosions were indeed part of a diabolical plot. With the United States quietly supplying the Entente Allies to defeat the Central Powers, no other explanation made much sense. That is, unless the smudge pots did somehow set off the blasts.
Although, if that was the case, if it was truly an accident, why was it so destructive? Why were entire ships blown apart? Why did the blasts travel such great distances? Bartlett could only surmise an accident would have been random and most likely, far, far less destructive. The timing also seemed odd – 2 am in the morning – when relatively few people were present. Surely, the cover of darkness and the lack of workers, along with a very small law enforcement presence were much more accommodating to saboteurs.
Also, the sinking of the RMS Lusitania occurred about a year earlier, and the subsequent torpedoing of the SS Ancona six months after. These were deliberate, atrocious acts done without regard for human life and the result of desperation. So, what’s to say the German government wasn’t somehow behind these two explosions?
Although, Bartlett was fully aware that he might be jumping to a wild conclusion. After all, he didn’t have any solid proof, merely opinions. So, he needed more – a lot more to get a true idea of what really caused the explosions on Black Tom Island.
The next four days of inquiry would produce the same as the first: speculation, assumptions, conjecture, strong opinions, and unfounded assertions. Although, all the information he gathered did point in one immutable direction. But, If he was going to make any headway whatsoever, he needed actual answers, and there was only one way he knew to do that.
When morning came, Bartlett went to the German embassy and asked to speak with Johann von Bernstorff, who had served in the diplomatic role since 1908. But, he was instead introduced to a low-level attache who offered little more than double-speak and patronization. Disappointed and disheartened, he left the building with nothing that he didn’t already have, save ostensible, likely empty promises and vague reassurances that the embassy office would do everything it could to assist.
“If you’re looking for cooperation, you won’t find it in there, Congressman Bartlett.”
“Excuse me, do I know you?”
“No, I don’t believe so. I’m Elias Wyss.”
“Pleased to meet you, Mr. Wyss.”
“I am also pleased to meet your acquaintance. And, please, call me Elias.”
“Thank you, how can I help you?”
“Actually, I’m here to lend my assistance. You’ve been conducting an investigation for nearly an entire week now, and you’ve not come up with anything.”
“How do you know that?”
“Well, congressman, word travels quickly. And, the way you’re going about it is attracting a lot of attention – in all the wrong places – I might add. If you’re going to get to the bottom of the matter, you need to take a different approach.”
“I appreciate your input, but I’m not sure I follow. What’s your interest in this, Mr. Wyss?”
“Elias.”
“Yes, Elias.”
“Let’s just say that your country and mine have mutual interests.”
“Which country, may I ask?”
“Switzerland.”
“Switzerland? Your country is decidedly neutral – just as ours.”
“Armed neutrality doesn’t necessarily equal indifference. My country has vested interests of its own and those interests must be actively protected. My guess is these types of incidents are more prevalent than one would think, it’s just that nobody has thought to connect the dots.”
Elias Wyss spent many years in the Swiss military intelligence community. He knew from experience the best ways to go about digging up information, and uncovering secrets kept close to the vest. He also had a personal distrust of the German government and thought the Deutschland, bordering his home country, had designs to erase that boundary. After all, it was unprecedented. The Swabian War may have been centuries ago, waged in 1499, but it wasn’t until 1648 that the Treaty of Westphalia granted Switzerland its independence from the German Empire.
With a new war being fought so fiercely to gain or retake territory in Europe, it certainly wasn’t an ambition that was out of the question. Germany could indeed seek to annex other independent nation states and the most likely ones were on its borders. Any help he could lend to such a powerful, potential ally would be prudent. Now, Elias needed to point the congressman in the right direction.
“Connected the dots? Hmm. I never thought of that – thank you for the advice.”
“You’ll need more than just advice. Tell me, Mr. Bartlett, how did you come into this particular investigatory role?”
Roland suddenly realized why he was chosen. He had no prior law enforcement or intelligence experience. No military or investigative experience of any kind. He was completely out of his element, totally out of his league, and had very little idea of what to actually do. He was being used or possibly, set up – it all made sense now.
“So, I should be connecting the dots, so to speak?”
“Yes, you should. But, you’ll also need some direct evidence to follow. The best place to start with that is on the street. A former door-to-door salesman ought to be pretty good with that.”
“You seem to know a whole lot more about me than I do you, Elias.”
“Forgive my forwardness, I don’t mean to offend or be rude. It’s just that I’m accustomed to being familiar with situations before I step into them. Wouldn’t you agree it’s far better to be prepared, to as you Americans say, ‘be in the know,’ than not?”
“Agreed.”
“Thank you.”
“Please excuse me, I have to make a brief phone call – if you don’t mind.”
“Not at all.”
Roland walked to the nearest payphone, dropped in a coin, and instructed his staff to compile a list of all the ammunition manufacturing plants in the country. “Let me know when you have all the information put together, so I can take it to the Library of Congress as soon as possible.”
“Library of Congress?”
“So, you overheard…”
“Sorry about that, old habits die hard.”
“Understood. Yes, the Library of Congress. Once I have a list of all the weapons manufacturers, I can have it cross-referenced with newspaper reports about these types of instances. Perhaps, we’ll see a pattern. At the very least, we’ll know if it appears coordinated or if it’s a real problem about which we should be aware of and take appropriate action.”
“Good idea. Now, you’re thinking like an investigator, congressman.”
“Actually, Elias, I’m thinking like a door-to-door salesman. You see, a good salesman identifies his customers’ needs and then presents a solution – hopefully, this will provide us with a solution.”
“Since you’re in the right frame of mind, what’s next?”
Roland paused to think about the answer. “Are you trying to tell me something?”
“I suppose. Let’s assume we learn this isn’t just a random act of violence – maybe it’s a coordinated effort. Then what? Who are you going to tell? I take it you’re not familiar with the people who put you in this position. That means they’re not going to let such a ‘plot’ come to light.”
Elias had a profound, perturbing point. Dedrick Moulin was a complete stranger and Roland didn’t know a thing about the man. Nor did he have any idea who – if anyone – Moulin was working for. Such a situation would only be beneficial to others, but definitely not to the junior congressman. Such a revelation prompted him to defer to Elias’ expertise.
“What do you suggest?”
“Well, Mr. Bartlett. In my experience, I’ve found that it’s advantageous to get a sense of things from the bottom up. Sometimes, it’s better to start there than to try and gain a top-down view. So, let’s stop in a couple of places where we might get some useful information!”
“If you’re talking about cozying up to German nationals, forget it. I’ve already tried that…it didn’t work.”
“That’s because you don’t speak their native language – you don’t understand their culture…but I do. Let me take a stab at it.”
It was a worthwhile move. Within a few hours, the two learned a great deal. Berlin was actively encouraging ethnic Germans to do their part to help win the war in Europe. And some of the locals had first-hand knowledge of money trading hands to undermine the United States’ support of the Allies. Willing participants would receive cash or be given various gifts for their cooperation. What’s more, this had been going on for many months and some even told the two that the effort spanned across the country. Although the informants were proud of their nationality and heritage, their loyalty was ultimately to their adopted nation, a country that gave them so much opportunity and provided them with a good standard of living.
In the days that followed, their hunch paid off. Staff at the Library of Congress were able to cross-reference the manufacturing plants with a number of newspaper articles, all reporting on various “accidents,” and “suspicious incidents” throughout the country.
It was indeed a coordinated effort by the Central Powers, most particularly, Germany, to sabotage American weapons makers who were selling their arms to the Allied forces. It was a stunning, but not altogether surprising revelation. Now, Roland and Elias had to do something about it to bring the plot to an end. Even if it meant putting themselves in danger.
“We should bring this information to the State Department, and to the Department of War. Even if the explosions at Black Tom Island weren’t sabotaged, it’s imperative our diplomats and military are aware of this destructive coordination.”
“Not so fast, Roland. Not so fast. We don’t know who we can trust. Tell me, do you honestly believe that the powers that be are completely unaware of what’s going on? I mean, it only took us a week to piece it together, the war has been going on for over two years now, and the Black Tom blasts essentially marked the second anniversary of the commencement of the war. Trust me my friend, when it comes to war and politics, nothing is impossible, nothing.”
“Yes, that’s an excellent point. So, what is our strategy? Where do we go from here? If your suspicions are correct, exposing this won’t be easy. I can’t possibly call for a committee to investigate when we don’t know who’s in on it and/or who knows or suspects it’s happening because that will show our cards.”
“We need to be careful. Let’s follow some of the names we’ve gathered through informants. We’re bound to pick up a trail. It’s entirely possible there’s a whole network operating right here on American soil. Maybe a ring so large, stretched across so much territory, that no one has put the puzzle together. If we find enough pieces, we can solve that puzzle.”
“But, what then, Elias? As you said before, we don’t know who in the government we can trust.”
“That’s where gumshoe journalists come in handy, Roland. We can send out all the evidence we’ve collected anonymously to several publications simultaneously and they’ll trip over one another trying to get it to print first. Once the public knows what’s going on, it’s game over for the saboteurs and anyone or thing that’s funding their operations.”
Elias’ instincts proved dead-on accurate. In only days, the two had enough information to lead them both right to the doorstep of Johann von Bernstorffthe German ambassador to the US who refused to meet with the junior congressman. Now, they knew why the diplomat declined and sent an attache instead.
But, their findings also had enormous implications. Plus, there still wasn’t any way to know if there were other high-level conspirators. That left the two with no other choice – they had to leak the information to the press. But, that meant having to remain anonymous. And for Roland, it would be imperative to maintain his role without tipping his hand.
“I’ve not heard from you for some time now, Congressman Bartlett. I trust the investigation is going well?”
“Yes, Mr. Moulin. It is. I’ve gathered a lot of information. Now, I’m doing my best to piece it all together. Looks like however the explosions happened, they didn’t leave a trace behind. It’s a real shame because that means it will leave us unable to determine the cause. Although, it doesn’t mean it was deliberate…could have been an unfortunate accident.”
“My, that’s terrible news. You know, I’ve had the chance to speak with many people over the past week – it’s simply astonishing how many coincidences and tragedies occur without any good explanation. Perhaps this incident will serve a good purpose. Maybe it will help to improve workplace safety. After all, carelessness can inflict all sorts of damage – even get folks killed. Take for instance this recent newspaper story, ‘Swiss National’s Disappearance a Mystery to Family, Law Enforcement.’ It would seem no one is safe from the unthinkable.”
Two days later, Elias’ body was found. With it was a suicide note. Later that same week, a newspaper headline reported: “Intoxicated Freshman Congressman Roland Barlett involved in Fatal Vehicle Crash.”
The extravagant cover-up wouldn’t last, though. In the months and years that followed, a number of events shed light on what actually happened at Black Tom Island and the extent of German sabotage against weapons manufacturers in the US, as well as against shipping companies who transported their munitions.
Johann von Bernstorff, the German ambassador to the US from 1908 to 1917, oversaw the spy network, while simultaneously maintaining diplomatic relations with America. He was supposed to lead the effort to buy up the bulk of US-made munitions before the Allied countries could purchase them. But, there was just too much. In fact, Captain Franz von Rintelen of the Imperial German Navy, wrote, “The daily production was so great, that if I had bought up the [entire] market on Tuesday, there would still be an enormous fresh supply on Wednesday.”
Still, the blasts set off on Black Tom Island weren’t enough to push the US president into joining the war. That came almost a year later, with the interception of the Zimmermann Telegram in January 1917. British intelligence captured the communication sent from Germany to Mexico. It proposed an alliance between the two nations, promising the South American country that land it had lost to the United States would be returned after the war.
On April 2, 1917, President Wilson abandoned his policy of neutrality and asked Congress to declare war against Germany and the Central Powers and on April 6, 1917, the US officially entered the war.
It was later learned that the Black Tom Island explosions were set off by chemicals in a two-chamber tube, shaped like a cigar, separated by copper that dissolves, sparking a super-hot flame. The devices themselves would incinerate, leaving no trace and thereby, no evidence of what started the fires or triggered the explosions.
