The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-11-23
LEARNING AMERICAN SECRETS.
Story Told hy Naval oaiccr-A shreu,
German Mechanic"

German Mechanic"
Anaval officer today, in speaking about
the presence of foreigners i'm the navv.
told tie following story: II was sent "a
Europe not long ago on an important or
rand, and II became my duty 90 form IN,
acquaintance of foreign naval officers ir
order toaccompiIsh certain ends had ~
view. ! met many of them AT dinners.
receptions and entertainments. and was
surprised 60 find out how well they wen
informed on American naval affairs. !
had occasion 10 go 10 kiel. Germany for
the purpose Of visiting the backward
there. | felt sure that my crcdcniials
would admit 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 aud
fine dinners. One day a fine hooking
German officer met me rs | WAS coming
out Of my hotel Hello, said he. Shaping
ne On the shoulder. have YOU got m
YETI He spoke such pure English that
for a moment OF so | was nonplased.
No replied. will YOU get me IN
/ can't; and thereupon ho remarked
it Is easier 10 get into your yards than
ours
Il looked at the officer inteutlv and
found 10y his uniform that he was thoohiel
naval constructor, and the man of an
men i'll the German navy that | wanted
TO meet. VIII YOU take a glass of wine
with me- ! asked. He consented, and
We returned 10 the hotel.
After q few minutes conversation Wo
became quite friendly. and | was sur
prised az the insight lao had of our naval
officers. He astonisled me 10y inqurrE
ab0u. certain officers who were at tho
New York navy yard during the lato
war. could not restrain my curiosity,
and askod.him How did Won become
acquainted with tine officers The story
is u short one. he replied. 'Nhn tho
war broke out ia 1861 I was in the Ger
man navy, and | got orders 10 go a.
America. and study your methods oi
building ships and getting gums ready
for use. When | got 10 New York my
dress was that of plain German me
ChaniC | got work rs a carpenter and
ship ioiner under a fictitious name, and
in u short time | got used 80 the nick
name "Dutchv." Nobody know me, and
my curious questions were never sus-
pectcd. ana the workIncn readily and M
good humorcd way answered them.
! helped 10 build and repair ships. and in
time got hold of much information. J
made plans of the vessel. machinery.
guns. rigging. and, in fact, got ON Ia
everything. | worked hard at night IN
my room. and kept my government as
well posted as I could The more Eng
lish | learned the better | understood
things that the wOrkmcn said I'M my
hearing | worked on the big ship Dun
derbcrg also on the Merrimac. no Nor
folk, and on some Of the monitors. J
sent much valuable information home.
Now you see the reason why you can't
get into our yard.
The narrative was straightforward,
and was 50 full of facts concerning men
and affairs that ! readily saw how the
German naval constructor got on to my
visit, and. although ! tried 10 convince
him 10 the contrary, ne was not 10 be
hoodwinked. know where klel is, and
that it has a dock yard, but I'LL have "a
20 10 Kiel az German mechanic before
can get inside OF that place. This shows
how necessary IL IS 10 keep an eye op
foreigners m our navy yards If we want
f. keep our secrets Washington Chat
uA Baltimore American