File No. 841.857/438
The Consul at Cork (Frost) to the Secretary of State
[Received 9 p.m.]
British bark Neath with auxiliary steam power (4,690 tons), bound Mauritius to Havre with sugar, torpedoed without warning 8.45 morning 27th, 28 miles southeast Fastnet; sank in seven minutes, no losses or injuries, captain taken hostage by submarine. Neath carried no gun or wireless, no attempt escape, resist, weather fair with moderate off-shore wind, heavy swells, towage neither asked nor offered, boats picked up by admiralty vessel 3 miles off Baltimore 6.30, 27th; all persons saved. Captain landed uninjured Queenstown 2 a.m. to-day. Two Americans, namely, Clarence Bloom, boatswain of 2309 Steward Street, San Francisco, and Peter Webster, negro seaman of Pensacola. Have joint affidavit first officer and Americans. This to Ambassador, Consul General, Department.