Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-08-05
Precautions Observed

There was nervous laughter, ap-
| plause. oaths, congratulations, pro-
| tests, which gave way to a grave state
Of apprehension as the seriousness of
the situation became apparent. Elec-
trio lights were turned Oft and the
ship was covered from prov to stern
in shroud of canvas. This smother
ed whatever beams of light escaped
through chinks in the stateroom win
dows. According to the ships log, she
was then IS degrees 46 minutes north
latitude. 30 degrees 81 minutes west
longitude. In two days she would
have locked at Plymouth.
Offer to Buy Ship
A group OF flnanciers on board Of
fered to buy the ship and sail her un-
der American colors, but to all pro-
posals the captain replied that his
duty was spelled by his orders from
Bremen. which instructed him to turn
back and save his ship. There was
stampede for the wireless, but the
captain announced that no messages
would be sent for fear of betraying
the ships location. -
mefhe f1iiis sighted
The American port which the cap
tain would try to make was a matter
Tor countless speculation. 1t was not
until the passengers awoke this morn
ing in sight Of the green Maine hills
that the liners destination became
| certain.
For two nights, with her head and
side lights extinguished and every
other illumination blotted out with
canvas, the Kronprinzessin Cecilie
| plunged through the fog with unre-
duced speed and without sounding her
| fog-hor
Made High Speed
Capt. Polack's explanation to a dele
cation of passengers who protested
against fast running under such condi.
tions was that it was his motive to save
his ship from capture. He added that he
did not consider the danger appreciable
as he was not on the usual path.
For time the protest against what
the passengers looked upon as a DISPOSE
ton on the part of the captain to risk
written demand that he reduce the
speed OF the ship.
| The captains only concession was to
sound the fog horn,
Congratulations
When the vessel steamed safely into
Bar Harbor today he received long line
OF passengers who congratulated him on
his achievement. Captain Polack is lieu.
tenant commander OF the naval reserves
Germany.
At o'clock the ship was waiting the
arrival of boarding officers.
Among the passengers were Congress
man A. J. Barchfleld of Pennsylvania
and Richard Bartholdt of Missouri; G.
Ledyard Blair of New York, Gov Charles
b. Miller OF Delaware and Samuel New
| house the copper magnate Of Utah and
New York.
Must Remain Here
Capt. Polack said he was awaiting ad-
| vices from his line offices in New York.
i can see no possibility OF taking this
snip to New York from here with safe
ty." he said. ITO avoid foreign vessels
We should have to keep within the three
mile limit and to accomplish this the
/ ship would have to be built like canoe.
We have reached an American port in
safety and that was more than had
dared to hope. We have been In almost
constant danger of capture and we can
consider ourselves extremely lucky to
have come out so well.
Il know have been criticized for MAX
ing too great speed under bad weather
conditions, but / have not wilfully en-
dangered the lives Of the passengers I
would rather have lost the whole ship
and cargo than have assumed any such
risk. OF course, aside from this consider
alton my one aim has been to save my
ship and my cargo from capture.
Il have not been acting on my own
initiative but under orders from the
North German Lloyd in Bremen, and al
though / am an officer in the German
navy. my duty has been to the steamship
line
Army Men on Board
Col. @. F. B. cobbell, an English mill
tary officer, was one Of the few Eng
lishment on board, and his chagrin at
not being able to Join the army was ap-
parent. There was a number Of German
officers. Oral duels and miniature inter-
national warfare IN the smoking room
helped to divert the minds of the pas
sengers who were inclined to give way
to misgivings.
Long, SlsepIess Nishta
To some, sleep was impossible. The