File No. 858.857/57
The Consul General at Barcelona ( Hurst) to the Secretary of State
[Received 6.15 p.m.]
Swedish steamer Skogland, bound from Norfolk, Va., for Bagnoli, Italy, with full cargo of coal, was stopped by submarine about six miles due south of Tarragona, Spain, February 18 at 6 a.m., submarine flying Austrian flag. Ten minutes were allowed for crew to take to boats, afterwards 10 minutes more at Skogland’s request. Total number of crew 26, of which following 5 claim American citizenship: James Brenner, fireman, born Brooklyn, present address Mrs. Peter Housen, 123 Twelfth Street, Brooklyn; Leo Cartwright, fireman, born Portsmouth, N. H., address Mrs. Scott, 46 Twentieth Street South, Norfolk, Va.; Jack Burke, fireman, born Brooklyn, address 322 Fifty-seventh Street, Brooklyn; Jay Lewis, fireman, born Youngstown, Ohio, address Box 565, Uniontown, Pa.; Joseph Brown, messboy, born Brooklyn, address 569 Second Avenue, Elizabeth, N. J. None was injured. Skogland was sunk by bomb placed on board by submarine personnel. Crew reached Tarragona at 11 a.m. in ship’s boats. When Skogland was sunk two other ships were in sight, both being subsequently sunk by same submarine. Weather reported fine. Does Department authorize relief and return United States those claiming American citizenship?