File No. 300.115W52
The Ambassador in Great Britain ( Page) to the Secretary of State
[Received 5 p.m.]
5615. Consul, Liverpool, reports captain of American steamer Westwego (owners, Union Petroleum Steamship Company, Philadelphia) sailed from Philadelphia January 17 for England, met German submarine U–45, January 21, 50 miles west of Fastnet. [Page 116] Submarine stopped Westwego whose second officer took ship’s papers to submarine, returned in hour reporting that if master, Westwego did not give three barrels lubricating oil, submarine would sink ship. Oil was delivered and ship now safe in harbor. Have instructed Consul to obtain affidavits and mail them to Department.