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280 SUBMARINE WARFARE.<br />

File No. 300.115W52/<br />

Case of the "Westwego."<br />

Ambassador W. H. Page to the Secretary of State.<br />

[Telegram.]<br />

No. 5615.] AMERICAN EMBASSY,<br />

London, February 6, 1917.<br />

Consul Liverpool reports captain of American steamer<br />

Westwego, owners Union Petroleum Steamship Company,<br />

Philadelphia, sailed from Philadelphia January 17 for<br />

England, met German submarine U-45, January 21,<br />

fifty miles west of Fastnet. Submarine stopped Westwego<br />

whose second officer took ship's papers to submarine,<br />

returned in hour reporting that if master Westwego<br />

did not give three barrels lubricating oil, submarine<br />

would sink ship. Oil was delivered and ship now safe in<br />

harbor. Have instructed consul to obtain affidavits and<br />

mail them to Department.<br />

PAGE.<br />

File No. 300.115H81/1.<br />

Case of the "Housatonic."<br />

Consul Stephens to the Secretary of State.<br />

[Telegram.]<br />

AMERICAN CONSULATE,<br />

Plymouth, February 4> 1917.<br />

American steamer Housatonic, loaded cargo wheat for<br />

British Government, torpedoed by German submarine<br />

twelve-thirty, third inst. Vessel warned and total crew,<br />

37, rescued by submarine and towed for ninety minutes<br />

toward land. Submarine fires signal to British patrol<br />

boat which subsequently landed crew Penzance.<br />

STEPHENS.<br />

File No. 300.115H81/2.<br />

Ambassador W. H. Page to the Secretary of State.<br />

[Telegram.]<br />

AMERICAN EMBASSY,<br />

London, February 6, 1917.<br />

Captain Housatonic has telephoned following statement<br />

to Consul Plymouth, who has been instructed to<br />

obtain and forward to Department affidavits when procurable:<br />

" Housatonic sailed from Galveston for London January<br />

sixth with cargo winter wheat consigned to firm in<br />

London at ten thirty morning February third. When<br />

twenty miles due south Bishop's Light submarine sighted<br />

two hundred fifty yards astern; submarine fired two shots<br />

close to bow of Housatonic and signaled Captain come<br />

aboard submarine. Captain stopped Housatonic and<br />

obeyed order. Weather overcast, sea smooth, no other<br />

vessel in sight. Commander of submarine expressed<br />

regret necessity sinking vessel but as Housatonic carry-

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