The surviving "U-27" crew swam towards the "Nicosian" for safety. Being aware of the cargo and that the "Nicosian" also had some rifles and ammunition on board, Herbert feared that any boarding German sailors might seek to destroy the cargo by setting fire to the fodder or might even attempt to scuttle the ship. He thus sent a party of Royal Marines aboard with orders to shoot the German sailors and to do so without granting mercy. Feelings had been running high in the aftermath of the sinking of the RMS "Lusitania" in May 1915 and the sinking of a liner, , earlier in the day of 19 August. The four fugitives were found below deck and the order was carried out. With the other eight German crew having been shot and killed while still in the sea, there were no survivors from "U-27". The "Nicosian" was then re-boarded by her crew and made the journey into Avonmouth despite being holed.