was hoisted on our vessel after the shots were fired by the submarine, and no one from the submarine came aboard our vessel. I do not know how far our vessel was from the coast. The Spanish S. S. Victor Trava was about 200 yards away from our vessel and took all our crew on board. About twenty minutes after leaving the Barbara we saw that vessel sink. Several shots were fired at it after the crew were in the boats. The submarine followed the Spanish ship for about three hours, it was then too dark to see what became of the submarine. We were on the Spanish ship when we saw our vessel sink. We were on board the Spanish ship for four days and were landed at Bilbao on October 24, 1916. About twelve of the crew were shipped in different vessels to England. I was sent to Middlesbrough and thence by train to Barry Dock, Wales. I have not yet received the wages due to me from the Barbara, and have no money and only the clothes I stand up in. I am at present staying at 23 Travis Street, Barry Dock, Wales. His Sworn to this sixteenth day of November, A. D. 1916, the deposition having been previously read over to the deponent, whereupon he affixed his mark; before me, [Seal of the American Consulate.] LORIN A. LATHROP, American Consul, Cardiff, Wales. No. 3652.] The Secretary of State to Chargé Grew. [Telegram-Paraphrase.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, December 9, 1916. Mr. Lansing informs Mr. Grew that the Department is advised that the British steamship Barbara, which had Americans on board, was sunk in the British Channel by a German submarine on October 20. The ship was laden with coal and bound to Hartlepool from Philadelphia. Mr. Grew is instructed to make request of the Foreign Minister for a prompt investigation and report. No. 4882.] Ambassador Gerard to the Secretary of State. [Telegram.] AMERICAN EMBASSY, Berlin, January 15, 1917. The following note relative to the sinking of the English steamer Barbara has just been received: FOREIGN OFFICE, Berlin, January 14, 1917. The undersigned has the honor to inform His Excellency Mr. James W. Gerard, Ambassador of the United States of America in reply to the note of Mr. J. C. Grew dated December eleven last, Foreign Office No. 14836, on the sinking of the steamer Barbara as follows: According to the investigations of the German naval authorities the steamer Barbara was stopped by a German submarine with a shot of warning on October 20, 1916, a few miles south of the Isle of Wight; the crew then immediately entered the boats. After the commander had convinced himself that the crew had been taken on board of the Spanish steamer Victor Chavarri and was thus in a place of safety he sank the vessel. The undersigned requests that the above may be communicated to the American Government and avails himself, et cetera. (Signed.) ZIMMERMANN. GERARD. CASE OF THE "ROWANMORE." Consul Frost to the Secretary of State. [Telegram-Extract.] AMERICAN CONSULATE, Cork, Queenstown, October 28, 1916. Furness freighter Rowanmore, Baltimore for Liverpool, mixed cargo including munitions attacked by German submarine 8.45 a. m. twenty-sixth 140 miles west southwest of Cape Clear, after fifty minutes attempt escape Rowanmore's steering gear was shot away. Master thereupon stopped and signaled submarine he was abandoning ship. Submarine three-fourths miles distant continue shelling as it came up, originally three miles off. Submarine shelled boats after latter were clear, no casualties whatever, but Americans and officers insist submarine was firing to kill until it came close up when it forewent that. Submarine forcibly took master on board it as prisoner or hostage. Expressed perfunctory regret at situation of crew of seventy-nine men who were in four open boats. Weather was dull with heavy swell and light choppy waves, wind moderate to fresh. Submarine shelled Rowanmore and at 11.30 torpedoed her, but vessel did not sink until 2.40 p. m. Rowanmore had wirelessed the Finland thirty miles away, warning her to keep away, also wirelessed other vessels. British Admiralty vessel came to rescue 11.45 a. m. Crew landed Bantry 10 a. m., twenty-seventh. Seven Americans, of whom five are Filipinos, other two are native Americans, George Murphy, 740 Jefferson Avenue, Brooklyn, and Albert Sessler, 42 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 6,705. FROST. No. 3530.] The Secretary of State to Chargé Grew. [Telegram-Paraphrase.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, October 30, 1916. Mr. Grew is informed of receipt of telegram dated October 28, 1916, from the American Consul at Queenstown, reporting that the Furness freighter Rowanmore, Baltimore for Liverpool, mixed cargo, including munitions, attacked by German submarine eight forty-five a. m., twenty-sixth, one hundred forty miles west southwest of Cape Clear, after fifty minutes attempt escape Rowanmore's steering gear was shot away. Master thereupon stopped and signaled submarine he was abandoning ship. Submarine three-fourths miles distant continue shelling as it came up, originally three miles off. Submarine shelled boats after latter were clear, no casualties whatever, but Americans and officers insist submarine was firing to kill until it came close up, when it forewent that. Submarine forcibly took master on board it as prisoner or hostage. Expressed perfunctory regret at situation of crew of seventy-nine men, who were in four open boats. Weather was dull, with heavy swell and light, choppy waves, wind moderate to fresh. Submarine shelled Rowanmore and at eleven thirty tor pedoed her, but vessel did not sink until two forty p. m. Rowanmore had wirelessed the Finland, thirty miles away, warning her to keep away, also wirelessed other vessels. British Admiralty vessel came to rescue eleven forty-five a. m. Crew landed Lantry ten a. m., twentyseventh. Seven Americans, of whom five are Filipinos, 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. No. 740.] Vice Consul Watson to the Secretary of State. AMERICAN CONSULATE, Liverpool, October 30, 1916. SIR: 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 signaled "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. 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, Iloilo, P. I.; Rupino Paisloria, Cebu, P. I., and Blinabo Enam, Iloilo, 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 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 |