File No. 857.857/107
The Consul at La Rochelle ( Goodier) to the Secretary of State
[Received March 23, 1917, midnight.]
Norwegian steamship Avra, en route Penarth, Wales, to Blaye, France, with cargo of coal, sunk by submarine without warning on morning of March 19. Nationality of submarine not definitely known, suspected German. Two torpedoes fired, one striking bow, second amidships. Ship sank in about 30 minutes. Night cloudy. Long swell at sea. Crew took to lifeboats and were picked up by Greek ship, conveyed to La Palice, France. Attack made 8 miles southeast of Chassiron Light, He d’Oléron, about equal distance from coast of France. Crew of 22; 17 landed, 4 drowned, 1 missing. One American, Thomas A. Waters of 1306 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, [Page 186] Pa., on board at time, saved; Waters sustained four wounds of minor importance. Full report and depositions follow by mail.