Further to these associations the liner FOLIA ,was originally owned by the Italian Company Lloyd Sabaudo of which Guglielmo Marconi was a Director and major shareholder.

Commander Hans Rose, U-53.
Picture the headquarters of the Convoy System at the British Admiralty, the huge chart-room upon the walls all convoy and U – boat positions were plotted. Through experience and radio intercepts the officers were able to tell which U – Boat Commanders were operating at any given time. They each had individual traits and methods of attack. It was often remarked "Old Hans is out again."

They were speaking of Hans Rose, Commander of U-53…. A man they had learned to treat with great respect and caution.

In September 1916, Hans brought his boat to Newport, Rhode Island, much to the amazement of the American Authorities. He proceeded to dock and then invite the American Naval Officers and their wives aboard to view his gleaming vessel. After delivering a message to the German Ambassador he proceeded offshore to the Nantucket light.

He sent five or six ships to the bottom having questioned their captains on their cargo and ordered the abandonment of their ships.

Rear Admiral Sims, U.S. Navy says of him " We acquired a certain respect for Hans because he was a brave man who would take chances which most of his compatriots would avoid, and above all because he played his desperate game with a certain decency. "

Sometimes when he torpedoed a ship Hans Rose would wait until all the lifeboats were filled, he would then throw a tow line, give the victims food, keeping all the survivors together until a rescuing Destroyer appeared on the horizon when he would let go and submerge.

"Hans Rose is one of the few German U- Boat Commanders with whom allied Naval Officers would be willing to shake hands with today."

Another interesting point is Claus Bergen, the official war Artist, accompanied U-53 on its September patrol 1916-Southern Ireland – Atlantic. His brilliant paintings and drawings record life aboard a U-boat and are testimony to hardship endured by these brave submariners.

Captain F.J.D. Inch.
The VOLTURNO was not Capt. Inch's first experience of fire-fighting. As chief officer of the SS. CAMPANIA, he was principally responsible for extinguishing a fire which could have developed into another VOLTURNO. At 2 am on the 9th of October 1913, Inch donned a smoke helmet and went into the aft end of the vessel beside the emmigrants quarters and succeeded in putting out the fire.

At the outbreak of the War, Captain Inch commanded the PRINCIPELLO, later becoming a CUNARD Captain commanding the VERENTIA and the VALACIA.

Captain Thompson of the CAMPANIA said of Inch, " Captain Inch was a fine seaman, courageous to a degree and imbued with a fine sense of duty, I think I may say I never had a more capable or competent chief officer".

Captain Inch retired from the sea in 1929 and died shortly thereafter.

Recommended Reading
Dungarvan Charter Boats maintains a large collection of books relating to maritime history. The history of a number of wrecks off the Waterford coast can be referenced from this library.