The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-02-22
Secre tary Daniels
Wants Full InveSti-
CATION in Sinking of
American Steamer
SUNK BY MINE OFF
GERMAN COAST
With Cargo of Cotton Bound for Bremen
the Steamship Evelyn Met Disaster
OF Borkum Island, in the North
Sea-Crew 81 Rescued

Daniels to-day ordered Commander Wal
ter R. Gherardi, American naval at
tache at Berlin, to investigate and
make full report on the destruction of
the American steamer Evelyn. So far
official advices merely have reported
the sinking of the vessel and her cargo
but gave no details.
Secretary Daniels explained that his
purpose in directing an inquiry after
the State Department had called upon
the Ambassadors at London and Berlin
for a report was to secure technical in
formation which, perhaps might not be
included in the ambassadors replies
1t was, of course, understood that Com
mander Gherordi, as American attache
at the American embassy at Berlin,
would be guided entirely by Ambassa-
dor Gerard in making his investiga-
tion.
Difficult to Get Information
1t was said at the Navy Depart
ment that from present indications it
will be difficult for the naval officer
to secure exact information of what
actually destroyed the Evelyn. Unless
Captain Smith or some of the members
of the crew of the steamer actually saw
the coming tower or periscope of a
submarine, officials say it would not be
possible to deny that the Evelyn was
sunk by a mine.
The fact that the Evelyn lies at the
difficult to examine her hull. 1t was
pointed out, however, that German Of
fcials might disclose to the American
naval officer in confidence the map of
their mine fields in the vicinity where
the Evelyn was sunk.
The Minister from The Netherlands
called at the State Department to in
quire what reports this government had
received about the Evelyn. He said
he had no official report of the destruc.
tion of the vessel After comforting
with Counsellor Lansing he expressed
the opinion that the sinking apparently
must have been entirely accidental.
Sees No Complications
Chairman Stone, of the Senate For
eign Relations Committee, said he could
see no complications arising from the
destruction of the Evelyn.
'An American vessel,' said the
Senator, ''ventured into an area known
TO be mined and unfortunately struck
one. So far it is not known what ma
tion laid the mine 1t is probable that
a national claim for damages might be
made when all the facts are established.
but | cannot see how serious complica-
tions could come from the incident.'
Crew of Evelyn Vessel Saved
London, Feb. ga dispatch from
Berlin last night announced that the
American steamship Evelyn, which left
New York on January 30 with a cargo
of cotton for Bremen, struck a mine
off Borkum Island, in the North Sea at
the mouth of the Ems river, and was
sunk Her captain and the crew of
twenty-six men were saved.
Borkum Island, the most westerly of
the West Frisian Islands, is north of
the eastern frontier of Holland and
about forty miles west of the mouth
of the Ems river, which divides Ger
many from Holland. 1t is believed
here that the Evelyn was steaming
along the Dutch coast and was going
to skirt the German coast on the way
to Bremen in order to avoid the mine
fields.
Irish Coaster Another Victim
Another victim of German subma-
rines was reported last night. The
small Irish coaster Downshire was sunk
Saturday night off Calf of Man, a little
island south of the Isle of Man, in
the Irish Sea.
The submarine ordered the Down
shire to stop off the Isle of Man, but
the little steamship tried to get awav
and did not heave to until three shots
had been fred at her. The crew of
five men were taken aboard the SUBJ
marine and detained for while, but
were subsequently released and landed
in their small boat at Dundrum, on
the coast of Ireland.
Men from the submarine boarded the
steamer and put explosives amidships.
Then they retired, and in few min
utes the explosion sent the vessel to the
bottom.
The submarine which destroyed the
Downshire is one of three that have
been sighted recently in the Irish Sea.
A large force of British destroyers is
now combing these waters to rout out
the enemy Their presence is a constant
menace to transatlantic steamships |