Robert:
The loss of the Housatonic was big news in early February 1917. The New York Times index for February 1917 will give you several news items. No one aboard the freighter was killed, as Hans Rose towed the freighter towards shore, where British patrol boat picked up the survivors. I treat this episode briefly in an article in the July 2007 issue of Northern Mariner. None of the sources I looked at had the full list. However, I note in the New York Times, that the crew shipped back from Liverpool to New York aboard the liner Philadelphia, arriving on February 22 or February 23. If you could get the Philadelphia passenger list, you might see if your ancestor was aboard. Another possibility is that Immigration lists show arrival, even of U.S. citizens aboard ships. So, checking such lists for Feb 22 or Feb 23, 1917 might turn up some results. Sorry I did not see your posting until recently. I hope this helps.
Rodney Carlisle