Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-09-29
STEAMER hermann BLocKADED.


From the New York Commercial Advertiser,
September "A
The blockade OF the German Baltic ports
having practically been raised by the depart
ure OF the French fleet. the agents of the Bre
men steamship line in this city, on the strength
q instructions received per cable, made ar
engagements 10 resume navigation. Orders
were accordingly given in the early part of
the week to the officers of the steamer Her
mann, laid up at the dock in Hoboken, to get
their vessel ready tor sea. A heavy cargo
was al once taken on board, the ship fully
coaled. and everything being in readiness the
time OF departure was fixed for this morning.
Notwithstanding the belief that the Hermann
would have no trouble in reaching German
port. the trip was regarded generally as haz-
ar1ous, owing 10 the possibility of capture by
French cruisers. 4 large crowd gathered
upon the wharf st Hoboken, and when the
signal Of departure vas given. continued
cheers were given. and as the vessel slowly
1loEed or. her flag was dipped as farewell.
The steamer proceeded down the bay under
good hesdvsv. and through the Narrows to
SANDY Hook. When off that point the sus-
pleaens Of the officers were aroused by the ap-
VeAr&nce In the oftng of two men-of-war
These craft displayed no colors, but were at
once ses down for French gunboats lying in
walG 10 capture the Hermann if possible. A
hasty consultation was held and il was deter
mined 10 put back and wait more favorable
opportunity @; proceeding to sea. The Her
mann accordingly dropped anchor off quaran-
tine, where az last accounts she still remained.
The names OF the gunboats are said to be the
Brifomarte and Egremont. They are very
fast. though not heavily armed. 1t is said the
ganoozis have been lowering off the coast for
sorae days, awaiting the departure of German
-x.r.
hLs eTe-F confidence il the speed of his vessel,
gne as certain. i. he can only ge, out Of Sandy
Huut End ven a STA, be can laugh at any at
tein5G 10 overhaul hius- The cargo OF the
Hssrlutin e9-1slsis 81 eotson, sugar and grain,
wIah large supply q sanitary and hospital
tLVies- is e&ss zhE vessels pysue her, the
carr1 VAL be Sung overheard. Ii is believed
fte Brr9ula-ss wa ihe first Of the blockad
ere wA5e1 arrived N onr waters. She was
nof4esd q Long leland seyeral days ago. but
ber real character Was not suspected. Her
consorg soioed her on " Wednesday or Thurs
aay. Their presence, TO all intents and pur-
poses. az Ear a. German vessels are concerned
constitutes blockade Of this port. This is
the view Of the matter taken by the North
German Consul at this port, and he has sent
u Washington rigorous protest against what
he considers violation Of international law,
the French vessels lying within one league OF
the shore. The agent Of the North German
Lloyds here at once telegraphcd to Baron
Gerolt, the Prussian minister and Secretary
Fish, informing them OF the condition of af
fairs. No answer has yet been received.
This is only beginning of a blockade. 1t is
said that during the coming week a large
French fleet, consisting of seven vessels,
may be expected off the coast. 1t is reported
already that another French vessel is off Mon
tauk Point thus Theoretically sealing our har-
Dor against the departure of German vessels.
There are a large number of German vessels
ready to sail, but Of course, their departure
will now be delayed. The Westphalia, of the
Bremen line, is announced to sail next week
but she to, will be unable to get out. good
deal of excitement has been created in the
city over the subject, and it is general topic
of conversation. BY remaining off the coast
and not entering the harbor, the French YES
sells avoid being subjected to a delay Of per-
haps twenty-four hours after the departure Of
the enemys ship-a precedent that was fully
established during the rebellion, when Ameri-
can cruisers were kept in English ports that
length of time after the sailing of confederate
vessels. In the year 1898 the British ship
Grange was captured by French frigate in
Delaware Bay, and upon due complaint the
American government caused the prize to be
promptly restored 1t is certainly somewhat
novel to have the European war transferred
as it were to our own doors, and further de-
velopment of the blockade will be awaited
with much interest.