File No. 841.857/201
The Ambassador in Great Britain (Page) to the Secretary of State
[Received 10 p. m.]
Following received from Consul Malta:
Depositions of Paul R. Danner, American citizen, captain, chief officer, and numerous passengers steamer Arabia may be summarized as follows:
Chief officer while on bridge saw torpedo approaching ship on starboard and immediately gave order hard aport, but too late to avoid torpedo, and it struck in engine room. Submarine gave no warning and displayed no flag and only periscope seen at any time. 4.7-inch gun mounted on stern Arabia fired at periscope after discharge of torpedo and knocked it out, but a few minutes after the other periscope was put up, and as the trawlers approached ship, the periscope disappeared and was not seen again. After explosion passengers and crew took to lifeboats and rafts and were later picked up by three trawlers and two steamers which were about 5 miles ahead to the westward at time torpedo struck. The weather was fine and submarine commander could not fail to have seen at any distance within torpedo range many women and children on deck. Wireless apparatus damaged by explosion preventing sending of any messages. Total number passengers saved 439, of which 169 women and children. Crew saved 293. Two engineers and 11 firemen missing, apparently killed by explosion in engine room.
Depositions by mail. Captain and chief officer gave depositions with understanding they would not be quoted in newspapers.