DEPARTMENT OF STATE.

CASE OF THE ANCONA. 155
The submarine was first sighted at this time 4 or 5
kilometers on the starboard bow. She opened fire, the
first shot falling somewhat ahead of the ship. The Ancona
turned with hard left rudder and tried to escape.
The submarine continued to fire and gradually overhauled
the Ancona, whereupon the latter stopped.
The first officer left the bridge and made a round of the
lifeboats. Many people were being killed and wounded
by the firing, and a panic ensued. Many people jumped
overboard and were drowned who might have been safe
if they had remained on board. A number of lifeboats
were destroyed by the gun fire. He estimates that 45
to 60 shots were fired by the submarine.
After ceasing fire the submarine circled 'round the ship
and took position 150 to 200 meters on the starboard
beam. From here she fired a torpedo, which struck the
Ancona about one-third the way from the bow. He
heard the explosion, saw the white streak of the torpedo
in the water, and heard a big detonation.
The ship sank a few minutes later. There were about
30 people on board when the ' Ancona' sank, who must
all have been lost.
The first officer jumped into the sea when the torpedo
struck and tried to get out of the suction of the sinking
ship. He was picked up by a lifeboat (No. 10) in
which was the captain. The submarine continued to
steam around in the vicinity, but offered no assistance
except to one woman. She did not fire on the lifeboats
in the water.
The boats scattered and eventually lost sight of the
submarine. His boat proceeded under sail, the captain in
charge and finally reached land. No ships were sighted.
He described the submarine as a large new one at least
80 meters long, and certainly not less than 70. She
carried two guns. The crew were blond men of robust
physique.
The Ancona hoisted the Italian flag when the submarine
opened fire. The submarine thereupon hoisted
the Austrian flag. He is convinced that the submarine
was German.
The above statement was made in our presence and
is correct to the best of our knowledge and belief.
JAY WHITE,
American Consul.
[Seal of American Consulate.]
J. P. JACKSON,
Lieutenant Commander, U. S. Navy,
Assistant Naval Attache, Borne.
WILLIAM GAEGUILO,
Secretary of the American Consulate, Naples, Italy.
[Inclosure 4.]
Affidavit of Cecile L. Greil, November 25, 1917.
AMERICAN CONSULATE,
Naples, Italy, November 25th, 1915.
Be it known that on this 25th day of Nov. before me,
Jay White, consul of the United States of America in