The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-05-30
ATTACK
bnssadOr's Report ON Nebraskan
Suggests ship Was Torpedoed.

WAsHISGToN, May 2y.-Circumstan-
tial evidence that the American steam
ship Nebraskan was torpedoed by A
submarine is contained in affidavits on
the subject made by Captain Greene
and other officers o: the ship. Advices
10 this effect Were contained in a des-
patch received to-day from Ambassador
Page at London.
The only direct evidence that the Ne
braskan was ~torpedoed comes from the
chief engineer Of the vessel, who affirmed
under oath hat he observed a White
streak in the water just before the ex-
plosion which resembled the trail OF a
submarine project!le.
So far as can be learned the chief
engineer made 20 reference to his dis
coverv until after the vessel had been
struck. a fact to which a good deal
OF significance may be attached by those
who are disposed 10 question the theory
that the Nebraskan was torpedoed.
Damage to a vessel caused by either
a mine or torpedo is sometimes deter
minable. and, accordingly. officials here
will withhold judgment in the case I'M
Ill they have received a report on the
examination of the hold of the Nebras-
kan which will be made in dry dock
next week. This examination will be
made under the scrutiny of Naval Con-
structor Mcbride. who IL attached to
the London Embassy.
The State Department received from
Ambassador Page to-day IA report on
the Investigation made by Lieut.. Towers,
naval attache of the American En-
bassy at London. Lieut.. Towers made A
superficial examination of the ship and
questioned Capt. Greene and other Of
ficers. The facts thus brought out
are stated in Ambassador Pages des-
patch as follows;
THAT the Nebraskan had left Liver
pool bound for the Delaware Breakwater
on the afternoon of May "a and was in
water ballast. Tn words 'N%ebraskan,
n. Y, were painted on each side
amidships in letters six feet high an |
that she flew the American flag con-
%tlnuously up to approximately $40
y. NJ, May %. at which time the ship
was about forty miles southwest of
Fastnet. The flag was then hauled
down because sun had set and the ship
was considered at Sea.
The chief engineer OF the shin Mt
s;2a i VI observed a white streak in
the water perpendicular TO the ship on
the starboard side and a severe SHOCK
vas almost Instantly felt forward bv
n violent explosion abreast hold No.
Hatch covers No, ! were blown on,
also cargo bCpms above same, and the
49, '"' ''''' wv VA anu lei lnt
douhle bottom compartments below hold
No. ! dNing been used for tanks for
fuel oil. Bottom plating and pieces OF
side were blown up through two decks
"The shin :ettlcd Immediately by the
head and officers and crew took to boats
Amer rema ming cfr ship about one ilour
crew returned and headed ship for
Liverpool. Under orders OF British Adj
miralty n British naval trawler came IN
IT midnight and remained with the Me-
hrasktn until she reached the mouth
of the Mersey. No one was seriously in
1uIed"
Ambassador Page added that he was
forwarding The detailed rep TT II Lieut..
Towers ana dep Isitious Of the ship's
officers taken by the American Consul
at Liverpool.
Opinion Is divided in official quIrtar RS
a. 10 whether the Ncbraskan was tor
n'doed by a submarine or struck 4,
mine, When news Of tho accident was
FIRST received AT tho State Department
II was hscrihed 70 contact with a mine
The American ,flc.ais In I.oudnn and
llN"rrp'l are apparently OF the opinion
MAJ 4 torpedo did IN" work, ana .h.,
next weeks examination will demon
stIate me truth OF that theory. Official
washington is rapidly taking that view