DEPARTMENT OF STATE.

SUBMARINE WARFARE. 253
There were on board the Rowanmore two American
citizens, Albert Sessler, Boston, and George Murphy,
Brooklyn, N. Y., and five Philippinos, Dionilo Abanilla,
Nueva Ceres, P. I.; Jose Visterion, Negros Island, P. I;
A Santa Cruz, Hoilo, P. I.; Rupino Paisloria, Cebu, P. I.,
and Blinabo Enam, Hoilo, P. I.
This report is forwarded pursuant to instructions from
the Consul General at London, dated June 1st, 1916.
I have, etc.,
HUGH H. WATSON,
[Inclosure 1.]
KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN & IRELAND,
County of Lancaster, City of Liverpool,
Consulate of the United States of America.
I, Gilbert Ratcliffe Watson, of 31 Wildman Street,
Kendal, Westmoreland, temporarily at 35 Ivanhoe
Street, Bootle, Liverpool, England, do hereby make
oath and say as follows:
I am a British subject, and was chief officer of the
British S. S. Rowanmore, which sailed from Baltimore,
October 14, 1916, for Liverpool with a general cargo.
That all went well on the voyage until 8.45 a. m., on
October 26th. The vessel's position then was 51.30 N.,
and 13 W., distant about 130 miles from the Fastnet.
At the time named shells burst close to the ship, but
without anything visible in sight. A few moments later
we sighted a submarine, which was firing at the ship, and
shelling her. The submarine was bearing North half
East, about three miles distant, the ship steering East
East true. Immediately on seeing the submarine we
put the helm hard-a-port and brought the submarine
right astern. Orders were given for the engine room
that all speed should be put on the ship. The Rowanmore
had no guns on board and was quite unarmed. I
was on the bridge when the submarine was sighted, and
remained there. Two shells struck the ship, one following
the other. Just afterwards we saw that the submarine
was flying two flags, International Code "A. B.,"
which was interpreted as "abandon ship." The shelling
of the vessel by the submarine continued and the
third shell which struck the ship carried away the starboard
fore rigging. Another shell hit the ship and
exploded in No. 2 hatch. A still further shell struck
the ship and wrecked the steering gear. It was then
decided to abandon the ship, and we put flags up to that
effect: International Code "A. G.," which is, "Am
abandoning ship." The engines were stopped, and all
hands were ordered to take to the boats. We commenced
to lower the boats, but the submarine also continued
to shell the ship whilst this process of lowering
the boats was in operation. The entire crew succeeded
in getting away, from the ship in four boats, but the
submarine still continued her shelling all the time, to
the risk of the crew, as shells were falling within 20 feet
of the boats. In fact the spray from the shots was