894.48B/284c
The Secretary of State to the British Chargé (Chilton)
Sir: It is my grateful duty to call to your attention the work performed by Captain S. Robinson, R. N. R., of the Canadian Pacific [Page 491] Liner, the Empress of Australia, at the moment of the disaster in Japan on Saturday, September 1, in Yokohama harbor.
The Empress of Australia had cast off from the pier at the moment of the shock. Recognizing immediately the magnitude of the disaster and the appalling danger which threatened the inhabitants of Yokohama, Captain Robinson immediately tied his ship again to the shattered pier, lowered his boats, and picked up those persons who had been precipitated into the water. He furthermore, during the course of the afternoon and until nightfall, sent repeated expeditions ashore to rescue those who had escaped the flames. His boats were also able to rescue many persons who had thrown themselves into the water from the Bund. This work was performed under the most trying conditions, since a tremendous gale of wind was blowing and in many places the harbor was ablaze with burning oil. The wounded and destitute people on board the Empress of Australia were treated with the utmost kindness and consideration and were finally taken to Kobe or Shanghai as they desired.
Since many of these persons to whom Captain Robinson extended such timely aid were American citizens, I beg that you will be kind enough to request the British Government to convey to Captain Robinson on behalf of the United States Government its high appreciation of his seamanship and of the intrepid and humanitarian service rendered by him and his officers and crew during this period.
Accept [etc.]