1. Steamers may not steer for the German Coast, sail in or out of the mouths of rivers except between sunrise and sunset and then in clear weather only. Vessels which attempt to make way in darkness, fog, or dim weather are liable to be fired on. 2. All merchant steamers bound for the Eider, the Elbe, the Weser, and the Jade must first head for the Listertief steerage buoy. Those bound for the Ems make directly for that river. 3. From the Listertief buoy on in the very interest of the ship's safety unconditionally obligatory pilot service is prescribed. Pilots will be furnished from the pilot steamer lying there. The pilot's directions are to be followed unconditionally. Whoever fails to do so or attempts to steer for the German bay without a pilot incurs great danger. 4. If on account of bad weather or other causes the ships can not get a pilot they must drop anchor or put back to sea. 5. Outgoing steamers receive their pilots and other instructions from the port authorities. 6. The same rules apply to foreign warships. 7. Navigation by sail to and from the harbors of the German Bay of the North Sea is totally stopped because of the danger therein involved. NACHRICHTEN FÜR SEEFAHRER. [No. 62-Berlin, November 10, 1914. p. 1029.] 3161/14. Navigation of the North Sea-Announcement. A IV. 11563, November 9, 1914. The British Government on November 2, 1914, issued, on the basis of a false accusation that Germany had, with hospital ships and merchant vessels under a neutral flag, laid mines and reconnoitered in the North Sea, a notice to mariners sailing to and in the North Sea, which recommended to vessels, on the pretext of danger from mines in the North Sea, to pass through the Channel, the Downs, and along the English coast and warned them against sailing through the North Sea and around the Orkney and Shetland Islands. In contradiction of this it is pointed out that the waters of the Northern North Sea, including the line running from the Hebrides across the Faroe islands to Iceland, the waters along the Norwegian Coast and in the Skagerrak, are generally so deep as to exclude all laying of mines. On the other hand it is known that in the South of the North Sea and in the Channel a number of mines, and, as has been ascertained, mines of English and French origin, are drifting about that have not been deadened, and that at many places of the course along the English Eastern Coast recommended by England mines have been laid of which several were run into adrift lately. The course recommended by England, through the Channel, the Downs, and along the English East Coast is therefore very dangerous to shipping, while the course through the North of the North Sea is free of mines and therefore free of danger. (See N. F. S. 14-262.) No. 661.] Ambassador Gerard to the Secretary of State. AMERICAN EMBASSY, Berlin, April 12, 1915. SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith enclosed a translation of a Note received from the German Foreign Office relative to the sinking of the American cotton steamers Evelyn and Carib. With reference to its Note Verbale of the 3d instant, No. 11 U 901, the Foreign Office has the honor to inform the American Embassy that from now available investigations and reports in the matter of the American cotton ships Evelyn, Carib, and Ocmulgee, it is established that the loss of the two steamers Evelyn and Carib is to be ascribed to the captains and to the inadequacy of the pilots taken by them. The captains did not observe the directions given them in the United States and the pilots undertook a task to which they were in no way equal. As the Admiralty has already directly informed the Embassy Naval Attaché, the captains and crews have complete freedom of action. "" Consul General Listoe to the Secretary of State. [Telegram.] AMERICAN CONSULATE GENERAL, Rotterdam, April 3, 1915. Consul Fee, Bremen, wires steamer Greenbriar, Captain Dalton, sailed April first Bremerhaven New York with General cargo sunk April second apparently mine explosion near North Frisian Island Amrum. All thirty-eight members crew saved. CASE OF THE "GULFLIGHT."1 Consul Stephens to the Secretary of State. [Telegram.] LISTOE. AMERICAN CONSULATE, Plymouth, (Received) May 3, 1915. American tank steamer Gulflight torpedoed off Scilly first instant. Captain died heart failure, body landed. Two of crew drowned, thirty-four saved. Vessel afloat, patrol boats attempting tow her into Scilly. STEPHENS. The Secretary of State to Ambassador W. H. Page. [Telegram.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, May 3, 1915. Reported American tank steamer Gulflight torpedoed off Scilly May first. Please obtain detailed report and forward Department 1 For additional correspondence concerning the Gulflight, see Special Supplement, 1915, pp. 129-141. immediately. Cabling American Consul Plymouth to-day for de tailed report. Consul Stephens to the Secretary of State. BRYAN. [Telegram.] AMERICAN CONSULATE, Plymouth, (Received) May 3, 1915. Gulflight towed into Crow Sound, Scilly, by British patrols. German torpedo struck bluff bow vessel down by head free board forward about two feet fore hold full cargo apparently undamaged. Blowing gale southeast. STEPHENS. Consul General Skinner to the Secretary of State. [Telegram.] AMERICAN CONSULATE GENERAL, London, May 4, 1915. Gulflight. Boness, second mate, reports thirty-three survivors now in Penzance, first mate and engineer remaining St. Marys to care for ship now anchored east side island. Seaman Chapenta and Wireless Operator Short drowned. Captain Gunter dead; shock. Submarine sighted twenty-five minutes before Gulflight struck. SKINNER. Ambassador W. H. Page to the Secretary of State. No. 2042.] [Telegram.] AMERICAN EMBASSY, London, May 4, 1915. British Admiralty has charge of steamer Gulflight now at Scilly Islands, but are on the point of turning it over to the salvage company. Officers and crew are at Penzance. I am sending Lieutenant Towers and Naval Constructor McBride to Scilly to-day to make investigation and have instructed Consul at Plymouth to mail me depositions of ship's officers and crew. PAGE. The Secretary of State to Ambassador W. H. Page. [Telegram.] No. 1514.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Gulf Refining Company informs Department that Gulflight was torpedoed without warning while "following British patrol boats to Bishop." Please ascertain immediately from ship's officers and crew or other persons whether Gulflight was under convoy or protection of patrol boats, and, if not, what communication passed between them, and why the Gulflight was following patrol boats. BRYAN. Ambassador W. H. Page to the Secretary of State. [Telegram.] AMERICAN EMBASSY, Towers and McBride have visited Gulflight, examined ship, and taken sworn depositions of Smith, former chief officer, now master, Boness, second officer, Butterwurth, chief engineer, and Crist, assistant engineer. Full report follows by mail. Established facts are as follows: At 11 a. m. May 1, when 25 miles west of Bishops Rock Light, Gulflight was picked up by British naval patrol boats Iago and Filey, and was directed to follow them toward Light, Iago taking position on starboard quarter and Filey on port bow. About 12.20 p. m. submarine in awash condition without visible flag or distinguishing marks was sighted by officer of watch bearing about five degrees on port bow distant about two miles. After five minutes and when bearing dead |