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Capt. John Robb
Merchant Navy S.S. Oxonian
from:34 Winstanley Road, Waterloo, Liverpool
Captain John Robb was the Master of S.S.Oxonian between 1915 and 1917 during which time he transported horses between Davenport and Alexandria for the war effort. He saved the lives of the Captain and crew of the American sailing schooner S.V.Cora A on 5 March, 1916 (Latitude 36.42N,Longitude 57.18W) receiving an inscribed pair of binoculars from the President of the United States, Woodrow Wilson for his heroic effort. He evaded a German submarine attack on 28 December, 1916 (Latitude 35.20N, Longitude 22.40E) saving the lives of his crew, cargo and ship, which he reported to HMS Hannibal, which was serving as a depot ship based in Alexandria, Egypt
S.S.Oxonian - Alexandria, Jan 1st 1917
The Senior Naval Officer - H.M.S. Hannibal
Sir, I respectfully beg to report the circumstances in connection with the Submarine attack on above steamer while steering for the Cerigotto Channel on the 28th Dec 1916.
Having been zigzagging from daybreak during fine weather conditions and on the point of altering course from NE to SE at 1.55 p.m. in Lat 35.20N Long 22.40E my attention was drawn by the Second Officer to a torpedo coming towards ship's port beam about 500 ft distant. I at once ordered helm hard to port and this order being promptly carried out although ship appeared particularly slow to answer helm at the moment she did so in sufficient time to allow torpedo to pass no more than 20ft ahead of bow towards SE.
Steadied ship then on SE course, a few minutes later a periscope was observed astern, which was not visible long enough to open fire. Reappearing shortly afterwards however on Starboard quarter with Submarine rising and conning tower visible bearing WSth, course was altered to ENE and at 2.10 p.m. ordered gunner to open fire. Three shots were fired, the first at 1800 yds, being short, the second and third at 2200 yds were very close to and at 2.18 p.m. the submarine dived and orders given to cease fire. Second shell richocheted and burst. Ship was kept full speed on ENE course with frequent zigzag two points on either side until 3.20 p.m. when in Lat 35.25N Long 22.58E sighted the feather of a periscope about a ½ mile distant on port quarter. Course was then altered to ESE but did not open fire as submarine disappeared almost instantly and nothing further was seen Ship reached the entrance to Cerigotto Channel about 5.45 p.m
I am Sir, Your obedient servant, Master.
