File No. 341.111L97/8
The Consul at Cork (Frost) to the Secretary of State
[Received 7.45 p. m.]
Please assume that persons not listed as either survivors or identified dead are missing and almost certainly dead. No news of Vanderbilt, tone, Shields, Myers, Klein, Hubbard, Frohman, etc., nor of their bodies. Add following survivors: May Maycock, Violet Henderson, Huntley Henderson, Mary Barrett, J. Lehmann, Mrs. Erhart, Mrs. Pye, Mrs. Sam Sharp, Kitty McDonnell. Some of these probably Canadians. Hope to send details as per circular 312. Add C. J. Broderick identified dead. Rough weather has prevented recovering bodies. Following is statement Mrs. Jessie Taft Smith:
Was first-class passenger Lusitania on Friday May 7. Was in reading room about 2 p. m., when heard noise and ship seemed to lift. Shortly afterward another explosion occurred. Went toward my stateroom. Was told not to hurry as there was no danger. Had beforehand got life belt ready in cabin. Now put it on and went upper deck. Steward helped me into boat hanging in davits. Between forty and fifty people got in, boat was lowered and we pushed off. Rescued two ladies and one man from water. I did not actually see [Page 387] ship sinking. Rowed away and were taken in tow fishing boat and afterward transferred to patrol boat which landed us Queenstown eight ten. Was met on wharf by consul who took me consulate and then placed me [with] Mrs. Town-send, American lady of Scranton, from whom and husband have experienced much kindness. Did not see submarine.
Statement of Robert Rankin:
At 12 noon ship began to zigzag course off Irish coast. Walked deck till 1.30. Went lunch twenty minutes. Arrived rear starboard A deck at about 2 o’clock, ship’s time, of night before. At exactly 2.10 p. m. one of our group of four sighted submarine low black ridge about quarter mile starboard bow. Lusitania going slow all morning, had been blowing foghorn till about 10 a. m. and was still steaming about 15 knots. Torpedo left submarine almost instantly and traveled rapidly toward boat, leaving white trail. Struck ship not far from a line below bridge and through boiler room. Explosion tore upward through deck destroying part of forward lifeboat. A boiler exploded immediately. No second torpedo. Boat listed immediately and began to fill through open ports and hole caused by explosion. Ship sank 2.33 by watch of passenger who jumped sea. Torpedo fired without warning whilst most of passengers were below at food.
More follows.1