Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1914-08-07
'ILL|AM H. PECK
TELLS STORY OF
GOLD SHIPS DASH
wark Banker Says Trip on
Ironprinzessin cecilie Was
Full of Thrills.

made by the Kronprinzessin Ceeilie
from phantom warships was told
yesterday by william Halsey Peck,
president of the City Trust Company,
of this city. Mr.. Peck, who was the
only Newarkers on the treasure ship,
did not arrive in his home, 81 North
Sixth street, until last night, having
awaited with friends in Bar Harbor
until the homeward rush of his fell
low passengers had diminished.
Mr.. Peck, who is well known in
New York because of his extensive
business interests, as he is in New
ark. told a most thrilling story of the
voyage of the ship through fog banks,
with every outside light of the great
ship blanketed. and of the excitement
that invested the passengers.
ION Friday night when the ship
turned and sought the safety of an
American harbor," said Mr.. Peck
There had been a dance after the
dinner This had finished and the
passengers were distributed in vari-
Gus parts of the huge vessel. With
a number of other gentlemen. | was
seated in the Vienna cafe, looking
through the bronze doors on the
moonlit sea.
THE night was quite warm, and
the great bronze doors that lead to
I was looking out on the sea a man
who had been on deck came into the
cafe and remarked in my hearing:
IT looks funny outside. When |
was out before the moon was on
the starboard side. Now it is on the
port side
Several men went outside to veri-
~ the passengers statement and
came back convinced. Just then they
were interrupted by the entrance of
Captain Polack, who wore a grave
expression.
Captain Gives Notice.
"'Gentlemen. can I have your at
tention for a few moments? he
asked. I have just received a wire
less from my superiors, informing
me that Germany, France, Russia
and England are at war. I am or
dered to return to America at once
and we are now on our way back.
The ships course was changed at
1000 D. M
"The passengers maintained abso-
lutte silence and the captain slipped
out of the room without being cues
toned. As soon as his back was
turned there was an excited buzz of
conversation as the news was spread
over the ship.
Later bulletins showed that Eng
land was not then at war. Every
body was excited, however, and
sharp lookout was maintained, not
only by the officers and crew, but
by everybody on board. At the time
the ships course was changed, she
was many miles nearer England than
America.
1.-THE next morning we found no.
tees placed near our places at table |
fclI aat ff hn al q
lights were extinguished suddenly as
IL was only necessary precaution
to be taken If a hostile ship was
sighted.
IT personally knew that the ship
ran at full speed one night without
a light showing on the masts or
decks Inside the ship there was
plenty of light. Heavy curtains were
pulled over each port hole to keep
any ray of light from escaping. The
winter shutters were also put in use.
The canvas awnings on the main
deck was lowered to keep the lights
in the saloons from showing.
Lookouts All Over Ship.
"Lookouts were stationed all over
the ship, keeping a close watch on
the sea. They were relieved every
few hours. One night | tried to pick
my way along in the gloom with the
aid of a pocket flash lamp I had, but
q ships officer directed me to ex-
tinguish 1t.
"There were $50 first cabin, 100 sec
ond cabin and 1856 steerage passen-
gers on board. Outwardly calm, they
were gravely anxious. On Saturday
a delegation of the passengers visited
the captain and petitioned him to
show some lights and reduce the
speed of the vessel. He did put up a
few lights, but the ship proceeded
with undated speed.
I'VE took northerly course, the
captain keeping within the fog banks
as much as possible. The four big
tunnels were painted black to make
the ship look like the White Star
liner Olympic. The name on the port
side forward was ripped off. Trouble
was experienced with the plate on
the starboard side. and 1t was simply
painted over. The stern name plate
was left untouched, as it was low in
the water.
wireless bulletins were posted at
frequent intervals, but no messages
were received from the passengers
for friends ashore, because of the
fear that they would be picked up by
passing vessels. We passed some
fishing boats on Sunday and Mon
day There were frequent rumors of
gunboats on the lookout for our ship,
but these were unfounded.
Mixed Passenger List.
"Al of the passengers mingled ami
cably, although they were made up of
French, German, Swiss, English and
American citizens. There were Z
number of spirited discussions as to
the possible outcome of the war. No
pools were made on the harbor which
the boat was making for, but there
were a number of guesses. Captain
Polack did not allow any passenger
TO know where he was bound, but II
was believed that he would make for
either Boston or Portland.
early Wednesday morning it was
noticed that the tremor throughout
the vessel had been reduced and some
of us knew we were near land. When
the most of the passengers came on
deck at about eight o'clock they were
surprised to find themselves anchor
ed in Bar Harbor. a-9ittle distance
from the steamboat dock.
THE appearance of the big liner in
the quiet harbor caused great excite
nent. and soon the water around US
was literally covered with boats of
all sizes. As soon as a physician
mad visited the ship, visitors were al
lowed to come aboard.
Most of the passengers made prep.
arations to go ashore Immediately.
1t was announced that the money
paid for passage would be refunded
and that the company would provide
a train to take the passengers back to
the CITY. This was done later, but
many Of the people crowded into the
first trains out. Everybody was anx-
ious for news of the war and news
papers were at a premium.