File No. 841.857/431
The Consul at Liverpool (Washington) to the Secretary of State
[Received 11 a.m.]
Frederick Sweet, Nyantic, Conn., Herbert Raymond Walters, Mount Vernon, Wash., two of three Americans aboard, affirm sailed crew British steamer Chorley, Norfolk, Va., March 3, for Havre, France, unarmed, general cargo, no passengers. Evening March 22 violent explosion ascribed to torpedo without warning, 25 miles east Start Point, English Channel. Submarine not seen. No vessels in sight. Crew 27 abandoned ship in two boats, rescued in hour, landed Weymouth; weather, sea moderate. Minor injuries to Sweet, no casualties; no ship’s officers in Liverpool. Affidavits mailed.