Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-05-04
GULFL|GHT ATTACK
IS SUBJECT TODAY
OF EMBASSY PROBE
United States Begins Formal
Inquiry Into Torpedoing Of
Tank Steamer.
SUBMARINE WAS SIGHTED
BY OFFICERS OF VESSEL
Disappeared Beneath Surface and
Twenty-Five Minutes Later
Torpedo Struck Ship.
SURVIVORS OF CREW LANDED
Death of Capt. Gunter Occurred
Aboard British Patrol Boat
Service Hours After the
Explosion.
SUBMARINE WAS SIGHTED
BY OFFICERS OF VESSEL
SURVIVORS OF CREW LANDED

LONDON, May 4, I:5I pm
The American embassy began to-
dav an investigation OF the tor
pedoine OF the American steamer
Gulflieht. An examination OF the
ship as we'll as OF the crew will
be made.
1t is probable that the inquiry
will be carried on principally at
Plymouth. where the crew landed.
The investigation will be con-
Quoted as expeditiously as posi-
BILE. SO that no time NAV be lost
in transmitting the report to
Washington.
Hopes for Drastic Action.
The London afternoon newspapers
comment only in the briefest manner
on the Gulflight incident. The West
minister Gazette asks whether Presi-
dent Wilson will make good his words
Of February" and hold the German
y dispatch to Lloyds from Scilly says
The Gulf1ight. which is anchored in
crow sound. has no list. but is down
ly the bows SO that forward the free
hoard is not more than two feet The
~orehold is full of water. and the pro-
'eller blades are eighteen inches above
tie water.
apparently the torpedo struck for
urd he llfff af ha q
cot below the load water line. APP
-trently the cargo has not been dam
ssa-od.
Gulhight's Crew Landed.
PLYMOUTH. England. May 4. as
a-m.-The steamer Lyonnesse last night
brought from the Sciliy Islands to Pen
zance thirty-three members of the
and the body of Capt. Alfred
Gunter of the American steamer Gull
fight which was torpedoed off the
Scillv Islands last Saturday The chic
officer and chief engineer remain with
the vessel. which is anchored in Crow
sound. to look after the interests of the
steamers owners.
In interview at Penzance. Second
officer Paul Bower of the Gulf1ght,
whose home is in Chicago. said:
When the Gulfiight left Port Arthur
We were followed by warship of some
description, which kept out Of sight but
in touch by wireless, and warned us not
10 disclose our position to any one.
Sighted a Submarine.
Ar noon Saturday We were twenty-five
miles west of Scilly. The weather was
hazy. but rot thick. About two and one
half miles ahead ] saw submarine. /
was on watch. and notified the captain
and chief officer. who also saw the SUBJ
marine II remained the surface for
three minutes and then disappea red
Twenty-Five minutes later we were
struck by torpedo on the starboa I'd
side. and there was tremendous shock
The submarine had not reappeared on
.he surface before dischargine the
torpedo.
Previous to this We had been met by
Two patrol boats. which accompa ME
a. on either side. The boat on our
starboard side was so badly shaken by
the explosion that her crew imagined
that she also had been torpedoed We
IrimediateiN lowered the boats and lef,
ON ship and quickly taken on
board the patrol boats But the fog
Increased and we drifted about all
n-ht and did not land AT SciIy until
j" >" O'Clock Sunday morning
Death of Capt Gunter.
AZ midnight Of Saturday. while stil
on board the patrol boat Capt o;untel
summoned me. ! found him In bed. ant
he said ne wanted some one TO roll {
cigarette for him. He then tossed III
his arms and tainted From then unit
fhs time. of his death. which occurre,
about 80 o'clock Sunday morning, h,
Iemained unconscious.
Capt. Gunter's speech was thick ant
'udlsrinct. but could distinguish
that he wished some one to take car.
Of ms wife. The crew had always re
Sarded Capt. Gunter healthy man
and had never heard him complain"
Second Assistant Engineer Crist OF
tine Guliight said
Mas on watch in the engine room
when We were torpedoed and so terri
III" VAS the blow that the Gulfighi
seemed to be tumbling TO pieces She
APPEARED 10 be lifted high in the air
and then to descend rapidly. ! told
the boys to 'bea; it as quickly as pos
sihie. and shut the engines down
Eca ching the deck, I found their
launching both lifeboats We got safe
j. INTO them with the exception OF
Wireless Operator Short of Chicago
and Spanish seaman, who had diveo
Overheard when they felt the shock
and were drowned.