READING 03 1916 Black Tom Explosion, storage munition supplies in New York City

Chapter 23

New Jersey Black Tom Explosion - ‘Johnson Barge Numbered 17’ July 30, 1916

“Our event will take place on the morning of July 1. This is a good beginning to the American Independence Day celebration,” said von Berstoroff to his staff. “Our agents are in place?” “Yes,” said Red Cagan. “So, you have trained them well,” von Berstoroff said. “Zimmerman gave me good people. They will handle the job,” Red Cagan responded. “Johnson and I have completed our side of the operation. The barge is in place. It was taken over by the port authorities because we did not complete a needed form—as planned. A payment is now due to free it from Black Tom’s Wharf. “It is in place with the proper name on the side of the vessel. Payments have been completed to the right points. All is ready.” Said Cagan. “My team will be watching them to make sure the night goes as we planned. “Then you will take all the blame, as we have arranged. Where are you off to next?” asked von Berstoroff, with a twitch of his eye. “I fear I am off to complete plans in central US and up in the Montreal area. But the less you know about our plans, the safer we all will be.” said Cagan. Cagan wasn’t sure if he really trusted his German friend. “Your Black Tom’s Wharf plan will make a wonderful contribution to the city’s summers port fireworks celebrations.” He said. Cagan did trust his three German agent’s friends. They understood each other. Money was their trust. The three German agents—Michael Kristoff, a Slovak immigrant; Kurt Jahnke; and his assistant, Lothar Witzke—were waiting for dark, seated in a small fishing shack on the shoreline of the Jersey coast, with fishing gear thrown around the room. It was a run-down, wind swept grey hole in the wall. The door, closed and locked, was facing the wharf. One window was facing the ocean. The second cracked window faced another shack a few feet away. They would wait until late at night. No one else was around, or so they thought. There was a bottle on the table. They talked and drank as they developed their plan of attack. "What has Von Berstoroff got us into this time?" asked Jahnke. "Listen as I explain the lay out," responded Kristoff. “We're going to blow up barge over on Black Tom Island." "Isn't that one a major munition depot for the northeastern United States?" asked Witzke. “The term "Black Tom" originally referred to an island in New York Harbour next to . It got its name from an early black resident. By 1880, a causeway and railroad had been built to connect it with the mainland to use as a shipping depot.” Said Kristoff. Kristoff explained the story in detail, while they were waiting in the fishing shack. “Between 1905 and 1916, the owned the island and causeway. They expanded the island with landfill. “Later, the entire area was annexed by Jersey City. Then they built this mile-long pier on the island. Now it is housed with a depot and warehouses for the National Dock and Storage Company.” "That right!" Jahnke continued. "Von Berstoroff has the barge tied up at Black Tom to avoid a twenty-five- dollar towing charge. He's got two of his own German agents guarding it. “He's also got the Irish mob into this. They are in on this job on the other side of the harbour. “I heard James Larkin's group are participating in other acts of tonight as well. They're causing work slowdowns and strikes for higher wages and better conditions. The New York dock police will be busy with other activities as we're freed up to complete our mission.” Black Tom was a major munitions depot for the northeastern United States. Until early 1915, American munitions companies could sell to any buyer. After the Blockade of Germany by the Royal Navy, however, only the Allied powers could purchase from them. “Now, we are secret German agents being paid pretty well for this job.” Said Jahnke. He continued. “This Island tonight will destroy the delivery of war munitions that are intended to be used by our enemies. The British will be set back a lot tonight. “Tonight, our attack will destroy about 2,000,000 lb (1000 tons) of small arms and artillery ammunition stored at this depot in freight cars and on barges, including 100,000 pounds of TNT on the Johnson Barge No. 17. All of this is waiting to be shipped to the European front.”. "We only got two problems to complete our mission." Kristoff paused. "We got to take out a Jersey City policeman who is usually stationed at the gate entrances. He's the only one at the gates. “Then once we're past that, there is another problem. The Leigh Valley Railway Chief of Police. He is always wandering the yards at night. We must track him down and take him out of the picture. You two got a problem with this?" "There are only two of them? No problems," Kurt responded. Lothar just smiled at his friend. "For what we're being paid, I though there were going to be problems. What are you doing?" "Our friend German Ambassador Count Johann Heinrich von Bernstroff has supplied me with some of his cigar bombs to use tonight. These things are great. Their timers are wonderful. “They've been putting them on boats and blowing them up after days at sea. It's just after midnight now. I'll have everything completed by 1:30. The bombs should go off at 2:00. “So, you two have to complete your activities and get down the coast as fast and as far as you can." Said Kristoff. "How big of an explosion will this cause?" asked Jahnke. "Bigger than you expect," said Kristoff. "I know our barge has 100,000 pounds of TNT on it! The yard’s a docking point for the other munition supplies." They smiled and slid silently out into the darkness of the evening. Kristoff was off in one direction, while the other two headed to the gates of the causeway. It took a short time for Kurt and Lothar to reach the gate and survey how they would approach their enemy. Meanwhile, Kristoff reached Johnson Barge Number 17. He had a short conversation with the two guards. He asked them directly, “Have you done what I told you to do?” One answered, “Yes.” He sent them on their way.