Evening star., 1939-10-17
Guns Aboard Athena,
Says Passengers
Affidavit
Liner Sunk by U-Boot
Declared Designated for
Service as Ruider
9y the Associated Press.

~ the ASSOClate0 fIeSS.
An affidavit saying the liner
Athena, sunk September en- route
to New York, carried coast defense
guns for Canada and was to be
outfitted as raider after complet-
ing its trip, has been filed at the
State Department by Gustav A. An
derson of Evanston, ILL.,, travel
bureau operator. He was a pas
senger on the British ship.
The affidavit was drawn on the
basis of questions by three House
members, Representatives Case, Re-
publican, of South Dakota, Brooks,
Democrat, of Louisiana and Pierce,
Democrat, of Oregon. Mr.. Anderson
grew up in Representative Pierce's
congressional district.
Mr.. Anderson's statements were
based on information from Chief
Oflcer Copeland of the Athena
that there were plenty" of guns on
the ship for coast defense at Hall
fax and Quebec.
(Stephen Early, secretary to
President Roosevelt, said at the
time Of the sinking that the
Athena apparently was not car
rying munitions.
c'Id like to point out" he said,
shat according to official infor-
nation the ship had come from
Glasgow to Liverpool and was
bound for Canada bringing refu-
gees. I point this out to show
that there was no possibility, ac-
cording to the official informa-
ton, that the ship was carrying
any munitions, or anything of
that kind")
The affidavit said:
congressman Case: Have YOU
any knowledge whether the Athena
carried guns or ammunition on that
trip?
Anderson: There were no guns
In sight outside.
Plenty on Board.
"Congressman Brooks: Were their
any guns inside that you know Of?
Anderson: I believe there was.
I talked to the chief officer and I
asked him, Are there guns here?'
he said they were in the hold and
there were plenty on board.
Congressman Pierce: What did
he say they were for?
Anderson: He said they were
to be used for coast defense for
Halifax and Quebec.
Pierce: Did he say she was
fitted out as raider?
Anderson: He said they were to
outfit the Athena as a raider for
her return trip.
Brooks: Did you see any guns?
Anderson: was looking down
the hold and talking with one of
the seamen loading cargo. I asked,
Whats that, the guns?' and he said
Yes
Brooks: What did you have ref
erence to?
Anderson: The stun down in
the hold. There was a canvas or
burlap covering it.
No Idea of Size.
Pierce: Could you form any idea
as to the size of the guns?
Anderson: I could not form any
idea as to size. But the guns under
the burlap formed huge pile.
Pierce: Had you any knowledge
as to whether the Germans knew
the Athena had guns?
Anderson: No. But there was q
rumor to that effect.
Brooks: Did you see any indica-
tions that the Athena was equipped
to carry guns?
Anderson: She was reinforced
with heavy beams and braces.
Brooks: Did you discuss the fea-
sons with Ofacer Copeland for these
braces and beams?
Anderson: Everybody on board
knew it. Some time last year after
the Munich Conference she was fit
ted out as a raider"
Mr.. Anderson recounted vividly
his experiences when the ship was
torpedoed. He got off in Hfeboat
carrying so persons. He was rescued
by the Swedish boat Southern Cross.
The Anderson affidavit is one of
several scores already obtained by
the State Department from pas
sengers aboard the Athena. The
State Department is seeking to as
certain responsibility for the sinking,
in which % Americans lost their
lives.
An official said today he did not
know whether any other passenger
had given testimony concerning
p11nS