DEPARTMENT OF STATE.

252 STJBMABINE WABFAJBE.
her to keep away, also wirelessed other vessels. British
Admiralty vessel came to rescue eleven forty-five a. m.
Crew landed Bantry ten a. m., twenty-seventh. Seven
Americans, of whom five are Filippinos, other two are native
Americans, George Murphy, seven hundred forty
Jefferson Avenue, Brooklyn, and Albert Sessler, forty-two
Sharon Street, Boston. Both rated trimmers. Their
affidavit is taken. Took statement first officer Watson,
but could not complete it formally, as he had only two
hours in Cork. Rowanmore had gross tonnage six thousand
seven hundred five."
Mr. Grew is instructed to bring the matter to the attention
of the German Government for investigation and to
report as soon as possible.
File No. 841.857K53/6.
Vice Consul Watson to the Secretary of State.
No. 740.] AMERICAN CONSULATE,
Liverpool, October SO, 1916.
Sra: I have the honor to confirm the following cablegram
this day sent to the Department:
"Affidavits officers and members of crew Rowanmore
show speed increased when shelling by submarine began.
Submarine continued shelling after Rowanmore signalled
'am abandoning ship' and while crew were leaving vessel.
No injuries received. Position of vessel fifty-one thirty
north thirteen west. Wind fresh. Heavy sea running.
Crew in boats before ship torpedoed. Picked up two to
three hours later. Two Americans and five Philippinos
in crew. Affidavits posted. Watson, Vice Consul.
The officers and members of the crew of the steamship
Rowanmore arrived in Liverpool yesterday and this
Consulate has now taken affidavits as per the list appearing
below, which are enclosed herewith. From these
affidavits it appears that on the morning of October
26th, about 8.45 a. m., the ship was shelled by a submarine,
the position of the vessel being then 51.30 North
and 13 West about 130 miles from Fastnet. Immediately
on seeing the submarine the helm was put hard
aport which brought the submarine astern and the
ship's speed was increased about one knot. Two shells
struck the ship and it was then seen that the submarine
was flying in International Code the signal "abandon
ship." The shelling continued and the signal in the
same code "Am abandoning ship" was given. The
engines were stopped, and the crew took to the boats,
the shelling continuing meanwhile. A heavy sea was
running at the time. When the boats were clear of the
ship the submarine came up and ordered the captain to
come on board, which he eventually did. A torpedo
was then fired at the Rowanmore and the vessel sank at
about 2.42 p. m. The crew were picked up by the
British patrol boat Sunflower between two and three
hours later and landed at Bantry Bay, Ireland, at 10
a. m., on the morning of Friday the 27th instant. None
of the crew were injured by the shelling.