Chapter 22
By
Source: Preservation of American Hellenic History (PAHH)
Published on myIslam.dk : September 6, 2013
The following radio messages were received by me on the evening of September thirteenth, while at sea, en route to Athens, and after:
Litchfield
Simpson 9-13-22
0113
fire has almost reached Consulate. Consulate has escaped with practically all official matter of value. A large number of other Americans have been taken on board and now being taken on board but have no complete muster as yet. Entire population on water front have placed many orphans and employees of American benevolent associations on Winona with request but not order to evacuate them to Athens promising your assistance in matter of their landing, 2220 Litchfield Capt.
Simpson 9-14-22
For Horton.
Winona leaving 4 P.M. to-day for Piraeus with three hundred and fifty refugees directed to report to you for instructions about evacuation. Simpson awaits arrival Winona due about 9 A.M. Friday signed Hepburn — 1130 Capt. (file)
Simpson rdo 9-15-22
0800
Direct for Horton. 0114 ref my 0114 dash 1136 Winona will have about 1000 refugees destroyer Odsafl left 7A.M. for Salonica with 600 all she could carry. Please announce and assist evacuation if possible. Hepburn 1900 —
Simpson rdo 9-15-22
S. S. Winona 7.00 A.M. date
848
Consul-General Horton, U.S.S. Simpson — Winona arrives 11 A.M. to-day with refugees. Please arrange to expedite debarkation. Short of provisions — Walter Master.
Simpson rdo 0848
Litchfield Time 1850
Simpson 9-15-22
1014 for Horton Am Consul September 14th, 5 P.M. Consulate completely destroyed by fire last night. Code funds and valuable documents saved. Three-fifths of city now burning and no apparent possibility of stopping fire. Your personal property including car lost Credit Lyonnais in midst of fire zone and manager and staff gone. Signed, Barnes.
George Horton
George Horton (1859–1942) was a member of the US diplomatic corps who held several consular offices, in Greece and the Ottoman Empire, in late 19th century and early 20th century. Horton initially arrived in Greece in 1893 and left from Greece 30 years later in 1924. During two different periods he was the US Consul and US Consul general to Smyrna, known as Izmir today, the first time between 1911-1917 (till the cessation of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and the Ottoman Empire during the First World War) and the second time between 1919–1922, during Greek administration of the city in the course of the Greco-Turkish War. The Greek administration of Smyrna was appointed by the Allied Powers following Turkey's defeat in World War I and the seizure of Smyrna. (Source: Wikipedia)
What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
REVELATIONS, I:11