File No. 300.115C49/4
The Consul at Cork ( Frost) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 18, 1917, 11.30 p.m.]
Thirty-three survivors, City of Memphis, do not include Captain L. P. Borum, four other Americans, and four non-Americans, but indications are that these are safe on board some merchant or admiralty vessel which has no wireless. Captain’s boat did hot separate from others till 1 a.m. to-day and was picked up empty at 10 a.m., weather meanwhile remaining moderate. Vessel cleared Cardiff, 16th, in ballast with 58 persons, including 29 Americans. At 3.55 p.m., 17th, submarine fired warning shot from 3 miles on starboard quarter. Vessel was stopped, submarine approaching to 1 mile fired once more, fragments striking vessel, ship then only being able read submarine signal to abandon ship. Instantly captain replied by long blast whistle signifying comprehension, then gave four short blasts signal to crew to take boats immediately, which was done in 5 minutes, about 4.15; no injuries. Submarine then came up, hailed captain’s boat and then fired eight shots, sinking vessel at about 4.40 p.m.; apparent time conversation with captain’s boat at present unknown, weather heavy, southwest swell, moderate southwest breeze, sky squally, weather improved during night. First officer’s boat picked up by admiralty ship 3.45 a.m. to-day; chief engineer’s boat 6.30 a.m. to-day by same vessel, landed Queenstown 4.30 p.m. to-day without accident. City of Memphis carried wireless but did not use same; carried no gun; no attempt to resist, escape. When captain is located he may have further evidence. Survivors, here include first officer, Charles G. Laird; chief engineer, W. I. Percy; assistant engineer, Fred Bevill; M. J. Dierlam, third officer; W. M. Thompson, third engineer; and P. J. Donahue and T. J. Welch, wireless operators; and 8 other Americans; 10 Spaniards; 2: Danes; and one each Swede, Russian, Chilean. City of Memphis was stopped by submarine February 4 off Scillies (see report Consul Osborne). Failure to use wireless this time was due to experience of former occasion inducing belief that ship would probably be passed if wireless not started. Survivors will assemble Queenstown pending instruction from owners, Ocean Steamship Company, Pier 35 North. River, New York. This to Ambassador, Consul General.