Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1917-03-27

appear. The captain. first and second
mates; first, second and third engi-
neers and % men of the crew have
been landed at the Scilly islands. The
fourth engineer and Is men are miss
| ing.
The City of Memphis carried crew
of about fifty officers and men, vir-
tually all American-born citizens or
Americans by naturalization.
The captain, three mates and chief
engineer and three assistants and the
steward were Americans by birth
| Most of the crew were born in Nor
way and the fireman in Portugal or
Spain, but had taken out final citizen
ship papers in the United States.
The vessel was owned by the Ocean
steamship company of Savannah. 1t
left there on January % for Havre,
France, with cotton. 1t arrived there
on February 6 and word was received
here by owners of the departure for
Cardiff to take on bunker coal for her
voyage toward New York.
The City of Memphis was of S,252
tons gross. It was 377 feet lonS, 49
feet of beam and was built in Ches-
ter, Pa, in 1902.
Washington Told of Attacks.
Washington, March 19-The official
information of the sinking of three
American vessels by submarines in the
barred zone reached the state depart
ment from Consul Frost at Queens
town and told of the sinking of the
City of Memphis. 1t read:
American steamer City of Mem
phis, Cardiff to New York, sunk by
German submarine p. M, 18th inst,
35 miles south of Fastnet
Fifteen survivors landed at Hull,
Z a. m. today.
"Thirty-four additional survivors are
on admiralty vessel, which continues
search for eight missing.
will land Baltimore, Ireland"
Consul General Skinner at London
cabled the department meager re-
port on the sinking of the three ships
in which he said:'
American steamer City of Mem
phis, Cardiff to New York, reported
sunk Some of crew landed. Patrol
boat going to pick up rest. American
steamer Illinois, London to Port Ar
thur reported sunk. American steam
er Vigilancia reported torpedoed with
out warning"
Counsel General SINNERS report
was believed to refer to the Vigilancia.
Report Fifteen Men Lost.
Plymouth, March 20.-Fifteen mem
bers of the crew of the American steam
er Vigilancia lost their lives when the
steamer was torpedoed by German
submarine. Among those drowned were
several American citizens, including
Third Officer Neils P. North and Third
Engineer Carl Adehelde. This infor-
nation was given out by Capt. Frank
A. Middleton of New York, who, with
the survivors of the Vigilancia, has
reached the mainland.
Moves to Meet Crisis.
Washington, March 20.-Following
close upon receipt of news that the
City of Memphis, Vigilancia and ILL
nois had been sunk by German sub
marines, government officials started
extensive preparations for protection
of the country's rights. These things
were done:
1. The president made a personal
visit to the secretary of the navy in.
the latter's office to discuss the naval
measures to be adopted to protect
American trade and American ship
ping.
2. The president authorized the ex-
the construction of men of war and
the purchase of additional torpedoe-
boat destroyers, submarine chasers
and other small craft, including air
ships.
3. The secretary of the navy will
Immediately place contracts for $50
submarine chasers and has directed
the New York navy yard to turn out
without delay so vessels of this type.
A. The president authorized the
graduation of the two higher classes
of the naval academy, in order to pro-
vide the navy with sufficient num-
Der of officers.
5. Instructions have been given to
expedite the examination of applicants
for appointment in reserve corps; and
officers of these corps have been d.
rected to purchase their uniforms and
be ready for service.
6. A conference took place at the
army war college with reference to CO.
operation in connection with and con-
troll of the telephone and telegraph
wires, cables and wireless in time of
war.
a, Plans are being perfected by the
war department under which the land
forces can be promptly increased.
s. The war and navy departments
have taken urgent measures to equip
the coasts with defense guns and
munitions and the fleet with ample
supplies.
3. Plans are being devised for the
better distribution of naval vessels,
including the commissioning Of those
in reserve and of the troops.
10. Strategic plans are under con-
sideration for the most effective use
of ships and troops.
IL. Arrangements have been made
for joint action by the army, navy and.
marine corps.
II. Consideration was taken of the
ACCESSIBILITY of replacing American
ships destroyed by German vessels in
termed in American ports.