Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, 1916, Supplement, The World War

File No. 763.72/2938

The British Ambassador (Spring Rice) to the Secretary of State

No. 309

Washington, October 13 1916 .
[Received October 14.]

Sir: In compliance with a verbal request I have the honour to transmit herewith an affidavit signed by C. Smith, master of the ship Stephano sunk by a German submarine off the American coast.

I have [etc.]

Cecil Spring Rice

[Enclosure]

Affidavit of the master of the “Stephano”

October 11, 1916 .

At 6 p. m. sighted submarine; at 6.05 submarine fired shot which struck us under forefoot port side, twisting stem. I having received no warning from submarine, verbal or signaling, she then fired three more which landed fifty to one hundred yards ahead of ship.

C. Smith

Master S. S. Stephano

Witness to above signature:
Arthur T. Blackwood
Commander R. N.