DEPARTMENT OF STATE.

SUBMARINE WARFARE. 261
flag, was painted gray and had on her deck a superstructure
of wood for the transportation of horses similar to
those in use in the operations in the Dardanelles and
that the Marina was in actual use as a horse-transport
vessel in the British Government's service.
Mr. Page is directed to ascertain definitely and officially
as to whether the Marina was, at the time of her sinking,
in any way in the British Government's service and
if so, for how long a period had she been in the British
Government's service, and if not, when she ceased to be
in the service of the British Government. Was it customary
for the Marina to be in the British Government's
service while carrying horses from the United States to
Europe and privately used on the return voyage ? Was
the Marina voyaging to the United States to transport
another load of horses to Europe?
File No. 841.857M331/61.
Ambassador W. H. Page to the Secretary of State.
[Telegram.]
No. 5283.] AMERICAN EMBASSY,
London, December 6, 1916.
Your 4116, December 2, 2 p. m.
In reply to a note based on your telegram mentioned
above Lord Grey replies as follows:
"With reference to the note which Your Excellency
was good enough to address to me on the fourth instant
making certain inquiries as to the employment of the
steamship Marina I have the honor to state that this
vessel was neither requisitioned nor chartered by His
Majesty's Government. She was on her owners service
running on her ordinary berth and entirely under the
orders and control of the owners.
"On her voyages from America the Marina carried
for His Majesty's Government at a fixed rate per head
a number of animals. These animals were carried
entirely at the shipowner's risk and responsibility the
only difference between them and any other cargo
carried being the mere fact that His Majesty's Government
were the consignees.
"I hope to be able at a later date to reply to the inquiries
contained in Your Excellency's note so far as
wiey are not covered by the above information."
PAGE.
File No. 841.857M331/51.
The Secretary of State to (Thargi Grew.
[Telegram—Paraphrase.]
No. 3667.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, December 12, 1916.
Mr. Lansing states that the United States Government
has made inquiry of the Government of Great
Britain concerning the status of the vessel Marina and
Lord Grey states in reply as to whether the Marina was
in the British Government's service at the time of her