The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-03-23
u. S. VESSEL SUNK
Continued from Page One,


stating that boat with seven HeaId-
ton survivors had reached the Dutch
Island of Terschelling in the North
sea. Conflicting reports in regard to
the number of those who lost their
lives when the Healdton was sunk by
a submarine vary from IA to "a.
Thirteen of Crew Americans.
Philadelphia, Pa. March 23.-Thir-
teen American citizens were among
the forty members of the crew of the
American tank steamer Healdton sunk
by a submarine last Wednesday off
Terschelling, Holland, with the prob
able loss of 20 or more lives Whether
any of them lost their lives has not
been learned, but fear was expressed
that since the torpedo from the sub
marine was reported to have pene-
trated the engine room and to have
been responsible for the death of 10
men, some Americans will be found
among the victims.
The chief engineer and three assist
ants were Americans. Most of the
other members of the crew were Span
iardS. Norwegians or Portuguese The
port before President Wilson author
lied the navy to furnish guns and
gunners to merchantmen
AS given out here early today by
Augustinn R. Smith. shipping commits
sioner, the personnel of the crew
showed the following had signed ship
ping articles as American itizens be-
fore sailing on the Inflated voyage:
List of Americans.
Charles Christopher, captain.
|. Wilferup, chief mate. New York
W. Chandler, second mate.
c. F. Hudgins, third mate, Vir-
ginia
S. w. Smith, able seaman, Chicago
]. Caldwell. chief engineer.
G. w. Embrey, first assistant en-
gineer, Louisiana.
John Emery, second assistant en-
gineer. New York.
w. c. Johnson, third assistant en-
gineer, Michigan.
| Emery Leveaux oiIer, Michigan.
| John w. Steiner, messman, Pitts
Lburg.
Herman P. Parker, Philadelphia,
wireless operator.
George Haley, second cook, San
Francisco.
Owned by Standard Oil Co., of N j.
| The Healdton, a tanker of 4,4S9
gross tons and owned by the Standard
Oil company of New Jersey, sailed
from Philadelphia on January &c for
| Rotterdam with cargo of 2,137, III
gallons of refined petroleum. She had
not been reported since February IS,
when a dispatch to the Maritime eX-
change in this city from Halifax stated
that the ship had been detained there
| since February for examination.
How long she was held after February
IS has never been ascertained here.
/ According to Joseph c. Gabriel, To-
cal agent of the Atlantic T.efining
company, where the tanker was load
ed the loss, including cargo, will APP
proximate $2.15O,0O0.
Until two years ago the Healdtou
was known the Purelite and sailed
under German registry, but since then
has sailed under the American flag
Built in 1908 at Greenock, Scotland
she was 500 feet long, 27 feet deer
and 81 feet beam
/ Sunk in :.Safety Zone.''
The Healdton had-an unusual voy-
age according to agents of the steam
or mere After Germany had issued
her notice for ruthless submarine war
fare, the Healdton picked up wire
Hess message off the coast of France
ordering her to return at once to Hall
fax and await orders She arrived
there about February and remained
until about February %, when she
sailed again for Rotterdam by way OF
the Shetland Islands route, which is
out of the submarine war zone estab-
lished by Germany. The decision OF
the agents to have the Healdton avoid
the danger zone and not call at Kirk
wall for inspection, caused. the British
| authorities to put the ship and crew
thru rigorous examination at Hall
flax. When the steamer left Halifax
! she had orders to call at Bergen and
then proceed to Rotterdam
Wireless Operator Rescued.
Philadelphia, March 23.-Herrnar
Parker, the wireless operator aboard
the Healdton was saved according to
la cablegram received here today by
his father, William Parker. The mes
sage was dated Terschelling, Holland
Mr. Parker said his son was 10 years