35 
The following is the report dated June 14, I918, received 
from the American Consul in Charge, Shanghai, China: 
I have the honor to report the action 
taken by this office in connection v/ith the 
death of Mr. Frank N. Meyer, Plant Explorer 
of the Department of Agriculture. 
It appears that Mr. Meyer while travel- 
ling dov/n the Yangtze from Hankow to Shanghai 
on the S.S. "Feng Yang Maru" of the Nisshin 
Kisen Kaisha, was drowned near V/uhu. Whether 
he fell off the ship accidentally or committed 
suicide in a fit of depression will probably 
never be known. 
Upon the. arrival of ths- Feng Yang Maru at 
Wuhu, Mr, Meyer's disappearance was reported 
to the Customs and a telegram sent to the Ameri- 
can Consulate at Nanking. The ship then con- 
tinued on its way. Upon its arrival at Nanking, 
hov/ever, it appears that the telegram to the 
Consulate had not been received in time to per- 
mit of any action being taken, in consequence of 
which the vessel arrived at Shanghai on June 3d 
with Mr. Meyer's effects still on board. The 
Captain of the ship at once notified the Japanese 
Consulate-General, which, on the -f ollov/ing day, 
turned over all effects to this office. 
A thorough investigation v/as then made of 
all the sources available in regard to Mr. 
Meyer's disappearance; the Commissioner of 
Customs v/as requested to telegraph the Customs 
authorities at Wuhu to search the river for the 
body; and telegrams were sent to the Consulate 
at Nanking and to the Legation. In connection 
with the investigation made, the following 
statements are enclosed: 
Affidavit of the officers of the 
"Feng Yang Maru", 
Statement of Mr. Meyer's servant. 
Statement of Consul R. P. Tenney. 
A fevf days after- the Feng Yang Maru reached 
Shanghai, a telegram was received from Mr. Sokobin, 
the Vice Consul in Charge at Nanking, stating that 
he had discovered the body near Wuhu and was ship- 
ping it to Shanghai. On June 9th Mr. Sokobin ar- 
^ij£d and took charge of the effects. Mr. Meyer's 
arrived on June 10th and was Interred at the Bub- 
bling \7ell Cemetery on June 12th, the funeral being 
attended by the Consul in Charge and other members 
of the Consular Staff. 
September 21, 19I8. 
