File No. 841.857M331/61
The Ambassador in Great Britain (Page) to the Secretary of State
[Received 8.40 p. m.]
5283. Your 4116, December 2, 2 p. m.1 In reply to a note based on your telegram mentioned above Lord Grey replies as follows:
With reference to the note which your excellency was good enough to address to me on the 4th instant making certain inquiries as to the employment of the S. S. Marina , I have the honor to state that this vessel was neither requisitioned nor chartered by His Majesty’s Government. She was on her owners’ service, running on her ordinary berth and entirely under the orders and control of the owners.
On her voyages from America the Marina carried for His Majesty’s Government at a fixed rate per head a number of animals. These animals were carried entirely at the shipowners’ risk and responsibility, the only difference between them and any other cargo carried being the mere fact that His Majesty’s Government were the consignees.2
I hope to be able at a later date to reply to the inquiries contained in your excellency’s note so far as they are not covered by the above information.