File No. 841.857/448
The Consul General at Marseilles (Gaulin) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 31, 9.35 a.m.]
Mailing affidavits Roy Adams, born Elberton, Ga., September 29, 1894, residence 34 Mackintosh Street, Elberton; James Dennis, born October 25, 1876, Hampton, Va., address, 103 Black River Road, Hampton; Edward Raby, born New York, June 14, 1894, address, Route 3, Savage Crossing, Suffolk, Va. (bearer seaman’s identification certificate No. 111, issued Consulate, Cardiff); former seaman, latter firemen on British steamer Eptalofos, sunk by submarine without flag or indication nationality, about 50 miles from Malta, March 23, weather fine, sea calm. Eptalofos bound Malta to Gibraltar in ballast, without passengers or troops, carried one gun, two gunners. Vessel torpedoed without warning by unseen submarine about 12.30 p.m. Raby on deck saw torpedo approaching. Eptalofos immediately stopped, crew entered lifeboats for which ample time. Submarine then appeared, took prisoners captain, first, second officers, four engineers, one gunner, and ordered crew steer for Malta, indicating course. No other assistance given by submarine. Eptalofos, being still afloat, submarine fired about 12 shells, vessel sinking in one hour at about 3.30 o’clock. Crew remained boats from Friday afternoon until reaching Malta Sunday, March 25 about 7 o’clock morning, sufficient food and drink in lifeboats. Crew arrived Marseilles night, March 28. No vessel in sight time of attack, no attempt by Eptalofos escape or resist search. No examination Eptalofos papers. Dennis suffering strained hip, caused by inrushing water stokehold when torpedo exploded; another seaman reported head cut by fall same moment; these only casualties. Evidence regarding display flag on Eptalofos contradictory. Believed no other Americans on board. Dennis and Adams state seamen’s identification certificates issued them Consulate, Cardiff, February last, and Bordeaux, December last, respectively were lost on Eptalofos.