The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1914-08-27
THRILLS OF SEA
TRIP IN war Time.
A Trough Voyage Takes on
a New Meaning,
NOW IS ONE OF ADVENTURE

Experiences Of Americans on Liner
Nieuw Amsterdam Graphic IlIustra-
ton of What to Expect In Crossing
Demonstrating Shots From War;
ships, Sharp Commands by Wireless.
! Nineteen hundred Americans return
ing from Europe on the Holland-Amer-
lean lin er Nieuw Amsterdam brought
thrilling stories of their fight from
| warning countries and of the nine
days. ocean trip from Rotterdam. Dur
ing her voyage the ship ran the gaunt-
let of British destroyers that fired
across her bow in the English channel.
The first and second cabins, the bag
gage room and part of the hold of the
Amsterdam were converted into Sleep
ing quarters to accommodate Amer
lean citizens willing to endure any
physical discomfort to reach their own
shores. Glass and caste were ignored.
The second class came up to swap
stories of war adventures in the first
cabin smoke room and with the wom-
en- in the saloon.
the horizon as the Amsterdam's pas
sengers were making ready for din
ner one night caused a panic when
il developed into British warship.
From a distance of five miles the war
ship started her wireless to find out
all about the Amsterdam and her ships
company.
The British cruiser was not satisfied.
Swinging around in pursuit she came
tearing along. Half mile away two
puffs of powder smoke curled away
from port and the screams of whis-
ting shells reached the panic stricken
passengers on the Amsterdam.
The Amsterdam stopped. circled and
headed for the warship. When a
quarter Of mile away there followed
much wagging Of signal flags, the sput-
tering of wireless on both ships. The
Essex was finally satisfied.
proceed; pleasant voyage" she
signalled. steaming off.
Shell Fired Across Ships Bow.
Five hours after the Amsterdam left
Rotterdam and was turning south tow
ard the English channel the whistle of
a shell fired across the ships bow in
spired frenzied run for the deck.
Soon thereafter British destroyer
circled the Amsterdam, while lieu
tenant interviewed Captain Baron
through megaphone.
First came the peremptory COM
mand. "Dismantle your wireless"
Next lot of questions: "Where was
the Amsterdam bound? OF what does
your cargo consist? What ports did
she maker" The captain answered
amiably. But there was one he didn't
answer. 1t was:
''Have you seen any German war
ships?"
The Dutch captain had full knowl-
edge of the purpose of his government
to remain neutral.
Then the British lieutenant ques-
toned the Amsterdam's passengers.
do any of your ladies and gentle
men speak English?"
Five hundred shouted "Yes!'
'Thanks," said the lieutenant. Then
you can tell me: Have you seen any
German warships?'
"No"' the five hundred cried.
'Thanks," piped the lieutenant. you
may proceed, captain; but keep your
wireless unlocked until we have pass
ed OUT
Saw tho Attack on Liege.
Almost every one Of the 1894 Amer
lean passengers Of the Amsterdam had
a story to tell of experiences in get
ting away from Germany, Austria.
France, Belgium and Russia before
the shooting started.
Matt Walter of Springfield, Mo-, aft
er being arrested three times by the
military authorities Of Germany, Bel
GUM and Holland, started to walk two
miles to the Belgian border, got lost,
skirted the edges Of Holland and Ger.
many and got back into Germany.
Falling in with three Englishmen
trying to get out of the zone of war
fare, Walter says that he saw the
Liege attack from four or five miles
away. He described the constant thun-
der Of big guns, rattle Of musketry,
passed hundreds of wounded soldiers
being carried toward the German bor-
/ der. witnessed the fight Of aeroplanes
over the lines Of battle, saw one Of the
air men brought to the earth by ''sky
gun" and described the bombs he saw
drop from some Of these air craft, of
which there were more than twenty.
Swiss Wit at tho kaiser's Expense.
About a year ago when the kaiser