on 8 october 1921, the american steamer rammed "rowan" from astern in fog in the north channel. her passengers were mustered on deck. the british steamer then rammed her from starboard and cut her in two. "rowan" sank with the loss of 22 of the 97 people on board, including many members of the african american jazz band the southern syncopated orchestra. survivors were rescued by "clan malcolm", "west camak", and the royal navy destroyer .