Falaba ~ 28 March 1915

The British steamer Falaba was sunk in the Irish sea by a German mine on March 28, 1915. 112 lives were lost, including Leon Thrasher, who is said to be the first American killed during WWI. 

Germany placed responsibility for the destruction of the Falaba upon her captain, contending that his effort to escape rendered his vessel liable to attack under the rules of international law. On the other hand, it was said that while the rules of international law permitted the destruction of merchant craft that resisted search by belligerent war vessels, it appeared that the Falaba had only attempted to escape and did not resist.

It was pointed out in official circles that, according to reports, the ship's boats were over her side with her passengers and crew attempting to abandon ship when the torpedo that destroyed her was discharged.

DEATH OF AMERICAN IN FALABA TRAGEDY STIRS WASHINGTON
Leon Chester Thrasher, Mining Engineer, on Liner Sunk by Submaring

The Oregon Daily Journal / 31 Mar 1915

   Washington, March 31. Administration circles today are waiting for a report from Ambassador Page in London regarding the American mining engineer, Leon Chester Thrasher, who was drowned when the British steamer Falaba was torpedoed by a German submarine. If the incident is verified, it is believed complication with Germany will result.
   Diplomats here are of the opinion that the case would come within the scope of the recent American note to Germany, in which it was declared that that country would be held to strict accountability for the American lives lost through the acts of naval commanders in the war zone.
   It is believed that the administration will be compelled to raise the issue with Germany if Thrasher's drowning is officially confirmed.
   Thrasher carried an American passport. (International News Service)

Was Mining Engineer

   London, March 31. That one of the passengers on the British steamship Falaba to go down with that vessel after she was torpedoed by a German diver was Leon Chester Thrasher, a citizen of the United States, was an official announcement made here today. A strong protest of Thrasher's drowning without having been given opportunity to prove his nationality, is expected from the American government.
   Thrasher was a mining engineer, and had been located on the Gold Coast, British West Africa, for the last year. He had his American passport when drowned. (International News Service)

Thrasher Known on Coast

   San Francisco, March 31. Leon Chester Thrasher, American citizen, who drowned when the British steamship Falaba was torpedoed by a German submarine, is a cousin of Dr. Marion Thrasher of San Francisco and was well known in California, Oregon and Washington. His home was at Paris, Ky., where is family is prominent both in a business and social way. Thrasher was well known to mining men of the Pacific coast. (Pacific News Service)