Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-11-19
LEARNING AMERICAN secReTs.
Story Told by Naval orlcer-A shrcut
/ German Mechanic"

Story Told by Naval orlcer-A Shrcud
German "aIecbanic.''
Anavalo officer today, in speaking about
the prcseI "e Of foreigners in the navy,
told the following story: Il was sent to
Europe not long ago on an important or
rand. and it became my duty TO form the
acquaintance of foreign naval officers. in
order to accomplish certain ends had in
view. | met many Of them at dinners,
receptions and entertainments. and was
surprised to find out how well they were
Informed on American naval affairs
had occasion to go 30 kiel. Germany. for
the purpoae of visiting the docs yards
there. | frlt sure that my credentials
would ndmit me To inspect the place. but
they did not | tried little game of
getting the desired pass by reaching the
officials through the use Of wines and
finc dinners. One day n fine looking
German officer met me as WIS coming
out Of , hotel Hello. said he. slapping
me on the shoulder. have YOU got in
yet! lie spoke such pure English that
for n moment or SO was nonpluscd.
No. replied. will you get me iny
81 can't; and thercupon he remarked.
it is easier to get into your yards than
ours.
# looked at the officer intently and
found by his Uniform that he was the chief
naval constructor. and the man of all
men in the German navy that | wanted
to ineet. VIII you take glass of wine
with moi: | asked lie consented, and
We returned 10 the hotel
After few minutes conversation we
became quite friendly. and | was sur
priscd at The insight he had Of our naval
officers. He astonished me by i1quiring
about certain officers who were at the
New York navy yard during the late
war. could not restrain ms curiosity,
and asked him: How did you become
acquainted with the officers The story
ia short one he replied. When the
war broi.c out IN 1861 Yves in the Ger
man navy. and | got orders to go to
America. and study your methods of
building slips and getting guns ready
for use When | got to New York my
dress was that Of plain German me
clanic. got work US carpenter and
ship Joiner under n fictitious name. and
in Short TING got used TO the nick
name "Dutchy." Nobody knew me. and
my curious questions were never sus-
pectcd, and the workmen readily and in
good humOrcd way answered them.
l helped to build and repair ships. and in
time got hold of much information. |
rlade plans Of the vessel. machinery.
guns, rigging. and. in fact, got on to
everything. | worked hard ut night in
rny room. and Kept r2y government as
well posted IS | could. Ihe more Ing
hsi learned the better | understood
thil-s that the worsmen sail il my
hearing. worked on the ii; ship Dun
dcr5erg; also en- the Ncrrimac, at Nor
folk. and on some of the monitors.
sent much valuable information home.
Now you see the reason why you can't
Get into our yard.
Tho narrative was straightforward,
and was 50 fun Of facts concerning men
and affairs that | readily saw low the
German naval constructor got on to ry
wilt. and. although | tried to convince
him 70 Tie contrary, he was not to he
hoodwinA.d. know where hiel ia. and
that it l.l- n dock yard, but III have to
go to Esi,l s. e German mechanic before
| can 4 T. lie of that place. This shows
how 80 ny it is to keep an eye on
torei our navy yarJls II we want
10 b, rcts, w asl,iagton Chat
IN Bal american.