Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-07-27
AMERICAN CRAFT
WITH GONTRADAND
SUNK BY SUBSEA
Steamship Leelanaw, Bearing Cargo
of Flax, Torpedoed by German
U Boat Off the Coast Of
Scotland.
CREW REMOVED FROM BOAT
Washington Does Not View Action
of Raiding Vessel as Disregard
Of Latest Warning.
SITUATION IS AGGRAVATED

LONDON, July 26.---The American
steamship Leelsnaw. from Archsngel
July %, for Belfast with a cargo OF
flax, was sunk today by a German
submarine off the northwest coast of
Scotland.
All the members OF the crew OF the
Leelanaw we're saved. They we're
brought into Klrkwall in their own
boats.
The steamer left New York May II
with a cargo OF cotton consigned TO Rus
STA by way of Gothenburg. The vessel
was detained at Kirkwail while inquiries
were made as to the possibility OF
getting It's cargo 10 Russia as Sweden
forbids the export OF cotton. The ship
was released juno 20 with permission to
proceed 20 Archangel. where the cotton
was discharged and a cargo OF flax was
loaded for Belfast.
No details OF the torpedolng OF the
Leelanaw have been received beyond
message stating that the crew had
been safely landed at Kirkwall. Scot
land. from which place they notified
sinking OF the vessel.
sunk by Torpedo.
A dispatch from KirSall TO the Central
News agency says that after the mem
bers OF the crew left the Leelanaw about
a dozen shots were fired at the steamer.
They failed to sink IT, however. and Il
ultimately was sent to the bottom by
torpedo.
The members OF the crew were taken
aboard the submarine, the dispatch adds,
and were well treated. When IN sight
OF the Orkney Islands the men were or
dered 20 return to their boats and the
submarine disappeared.
The Leelanaw. was owned by the
Hardy Steamship company OF New York.
1t was formerly called the Earnweil II
was 2so feet long and Of .s24 gross tom
mage. II left Galveston May and New
York May II with = cargo OF cotton for
Arohangel. Early IN June II was de-
tanned by the British authorities at
Kirkwall This action was takon because
it's cargo. although destined for Russia.
was consigned by way OF Gothenburg,
| Sweden. which country forbids the sx-
/ pof1 Ot Cottons TRYING discharged It's
cargo at Arehangel Il Is evident that
the Leelanaw was returning from Arch
angel when Il was sunk.
An official statement OF the German
government. issued April 49, 1916, set
forth that flax is contraband OF war.
The Leelanaw was Commanded by Cap
tain B. b. Delk It's crew consisted OF
seven officers and thirty-two men. and
its owners. the Hardy Steamship COM
pany planned to return the Leelanaw in
ballast TO this country The LaeIanaw's 8
agents had no information regarding the
sinking Of the steamship other than that
contained in the press dispatches.
Causes shock.
WASHINGTON. Jury 26.--The torpedo
ing OF the American steamer Leelanaw
is shock to American officias, who see
IN the incident further aggravation of
the situation between Germany and the
United States.
Although they hesitated today In the
absence Of details to construe the aot as
coming within the warning OF the last
American note. which pointed out that
further violation OF international law
affecting American citizens would be re-
garded as deliberately unfriendly," the
View was taken that Germany In effect
had ignored and disregarded an earlier
note sent In connection with the sinking
OF the Amer4cRn aafifng ahin vVNIlas.. n