Mark Baber
RIP
MAB Notes: 1. On 12 February 1917, Afric was torpedoed and sunk by UC 66 of the Eddystone Light. There were 22 deaths and 145 survivors. This report appeared a few days after the event. 2. In the fourth paragraph, "here" means "New York." 3. The remainder of this front page article related to other marine losses and escapes, and has not been transcribed.
The New York Times, 14 February 1917
LINER AFRIC SUNK; 17 MEN MISSING
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12,000-Ton White Star Steamer Is Believed to Have Been in Admiralty Service
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145 OF CREW ARE LANDED
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LONDON, Feb. 13---Lloyd's Shipping Agency announced this afternoon that the White Star Line steamship Afric, of 11,999 tons gross, had been sunk. Seventeen of the crew are missing.
The pilot and 144 of the crew of the steamship Afric have been landed.
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The Afric was owned by the Oceanic Steam Navigation Company of Liverpool, which is a part of the International Mercantile Marine Company and was built by Harland & Wolff at Belfast in 1899 for the emigrant and freight trade from Liverpool to Australia, via the Cape of Good Hope. She was of 11,999 gross tonnage and is the largest steamer sunk by German submarines since the new blockade went into effect on Feb. 1.
The Afric last reported in marine records as leaving Cape Town on Dec. 3, and, according to the agents of the White Star Line here, she was supposed to be in the Admiralty service. The Afric had four masts and one funnel, and had accommodations for 500 passengers. She was 550 feet long, had a beam of 63 feet 3 inches. was 31 feet 9 inches in depth, and was equipped with twin screw engines which gave her an average speed of 13 to 14 knots.
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Three Other Ships Sunk
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LONDON, Feb. 13.-The sinking of three ships, including the White Star liner Afric, were [sic] announced today by Lloyd's Shipping Agency. The largest of these two was the British steamer Foreland of 1,960 tons, which was built at Sunderland in 1914 and owned in London. The other vessel reported sunk was the Norwegian motor ship West, whose crew has been landed. This list [sic] is not listed in available shipping records.
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The New York Times, 14 February 1917
LINER AFRIC SUNK; 17 MEN MISSING
---
12,000-Ton White Star Steamer Is Believed to Have Been in Admiralty Service
---
145 OF CREW ARE LANDED
---
***
---
LONDON, Feb. 13---Lloyd's Shipping Agency announced this afternoon that the White Star Line steamship Afric, of 11,999 tons gross, had been sunk. Seventeen of the crew are missing.
The pilot and 144 of the crew of the steamship Afric have been landed.
--------
The Afric was owned by the Oceanic Steam Navigation Company of Liverpool, which is a part of the International Mercantile Marine Company and was built by Harland & Wolff at Belfast in 1899 for the emigrant and freight trade from Liverpool to Australia, via the Cape of Good Hope. She was of 11,999 gross tonnage and is the largest steamer sunk by German submarines since the new blockade went into effect on Feb. 1.
The Afric last reported in marine records as leaving Cape Town on Dec. 3, and, according to the agents of the White Star Line here, she was supposed to be in the Admiralty service. The Afric had four masts and one funnel, and had accommodations for 500 passengers. She was 550 feet long, had a beam of 63 feet 3 inches. was 31 feet 9 inches in depth, and was equipped with twin screw engines which gave her an average speed of 13 to 14 knots.
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Three Other Ships Sunk
---
LONDON, Feb. 13.-The sinking of three ships, including the White Star liner Afric, were [sic] announced today by Lloyd's Shipping Agency. The largest of these two was the British steamer Foreland of 1,960 tons, which was built at Sunderland in 1914 and owned in London. The other vessel reported sunk was the Norwegian motor ship West, whose crew has been landed. This list [sic] is not listed in available shipping records.
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