DEPARTMENT OF STATE.

160 CASE OF THE ANCONA.
was 12.30 and bombardment of vessel lasted 20 minutes
longer. As bombardment commenced at a few minutes
after 12 it must have lasted about 45 minutes. About 15
minutes after the cessation of bombardment the submarine
which was circling around vessel fired a torpedo
which struck the Ancona. I saw a cometlike form going
through the water, saw it strike vessel causing violent
explosion and throwing huge jet of water in air. The
Ancona listed to one side and sank at 1.32 by my watch.
My watch was correct as I compared it with watch of
chief engineer and found it correct. Six other boats of
the Ancona were in sight all the afternoon. The boat
which*I was in was picked up by the French naval vessel
Pluton at about 7 o'clock p. m. and the survivors of
Ancona were disembarked at Bizerta at about 11 p. m.,
but being a physician I remained on board' all night
attending to wounded. Everything possible for the
comfort and care of the survivors was done by the officers
of the Pluton and the French authorities. Special
courtesy was shown to myself as a woman and an American
citizen.
14th Interrogatory. Can you testify as to whether any
notification was given to Ancona before attack was commenced
?
No.
15th Interrogatory. Can you testify as to whether any
attempt to escape was made by Anconaf
The vessel commenced to slow down almost simultaneously
with the rush of sailors on deck and before I
had heard the first shot. The vessel vibrated and the
engine must have stopped or greatly reduced its speed,
my impression is that the engine was stopped. The
first shot I heard struck the fore part of vessel. I can
give no other testimony as to whether there was any
attempt to escape.
16th Interrogatory. Was firing rapid and continuous
while bombardment lasted, have you an approximate
idea of number of shots fired ?
Firing was rapid for approximately twenty minutes;
then firing was at longer intervals. I can give no information
as to number of shots fired.
17th Interrogatory. Were over fifty shots fired?
Yes, I feel confident that over fifty shots were fired at
Ancona.
18th Interrogatory. Was loss of life chiefly due to method
of attack, to panic of passengers or to any lack of control
or efficiency on part of officers or crew of Anconaf
A number of persons were killed or wounded by bombardment,
there was considerable loss of life due to panic
of passengers, and there was lack of control on the part
of officers of ship. Of course, effective control was difficult
under the circumstances. I saw one lifeboat capsized
because a pulley stuck.
19th Interrogatory. Did you meet or have any knowledge
of other Americans on board ?
No, I know there were no Americans in first or second
cabins, and there were none among survivors as far as I
know. I inquired if there were any.