Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-08-06
THRILLING TALE Of
GOOD SHIP OLYMPIC

behind; of darkened portfolios; of
stirring adventure and what not.
From Sunday night until they
reached the safety zone Tuesday morn
ing the Olympic was chased by two
German cruisers. The cruiser Essex,
of the British fleet, was also in the
chase, ready to take a hand should
the Germans make an attempt to cap
ture the gigantic liner.
Captain the Hero
The Meckleys say Captain Herbert
J. Haddock, of the Olympic, was the
hero. Passengers did not know what
the real conditions were until they
reached New York Tuesday night.
News of the war between Germany
and Russia reached the Olympic by
wireless on Sunday morning. This
caused some excitement among the
1900 passengers. but not until dance
scheduled for Monday night was called
OFF did the passengers realize that
something serious was on.
Real anxiety came with the shut
ting off of the lights and the covering
of portfolios with towels. No eX-
PLANTATION was given, but ii was hinted
by members of the crew that two Ger
man cruisers were chasing them.
once it was said that the German
boats were only three miles off. Then
Captain Haddock ordered extra speed
for the engines and ran the Olympic
out of danger. The story as told by
Mr. Meckley was full of thrills. He
said:
We left Cherbourg, France, on the
evening of July 20. Excitement in
Paris was at fever heat over the war
talk. on the evening before our de-
parture we were on an auto ride
through Paris and ran into a riot.
Everybody was excited over the pros
poets of war. For three hours our
auto driver fought his way through
the crowds and finally armed forces
from the military posts came to our
aid.
On the Ocean Wide
"Out on the ocean we heard of the
approaching war, but no one dreamed
that the Olympic would figure. Ru-
mors were afioat Saturday night that
things were looking gloomy in Europe.
Shortly after breakfast Sunday
morning Captain Haddock was called
to the wireless station. A bulletin
had been received that war was de-
clare between Germany and Russia.
Excitement followed, but the daily
program was carried through without
Interruption. on the following day
there was to be a dance. Everybody
was preparing to show their best and
the event was expected to be an
elaborate affair. 1t was Monday even
ing the announcement came that the
dance had been called off. Late Mon
day night the secret was out and we
were told about the German cruisers
chasing us.
Passengers then began to worry.
The anxiety grew worse each hour
and as the passengers noticed Captain
Haddock's close attention to duty and
that he did not go to bed the excite
ment was intense. Next came the
announcement that Captain Haddock
had been ordered to get into Halifax
If he was unable to reach New York.
He Made 1t!
"'By jove! I'm going to make it,"
remarked Captain Haddock to another
officer. Orders came to put on all
steam possible. We covered $50 miles
in one day. 1t was twenty-five knots
an hour until we reached the safety
zone. When the passengers quieted
down they gathered on deck and
passed resolutions commencing Cap
tain Haddock for his good work. We
lurded near Coney Island Tuesday and
remained out all night. Newspapers
were brought aboard and then we
learned what we had escaped.
There was on board $12.0 900, 900
worth of securities and other valuable
shipments"
Mr.. and Mrs. Frank Meckley, with
Mr.. and Mrs. Fl. Brooke Spahr. 2211
North Third street, left New York for
Liverpool June 3. The Meckleys Wis
tied nine different countries, taking in
every country which is now involved
in war. They were abroad nine weeks.
during which time Mr.. and Mrs. Meek
ley stopped at twenty-seven different
hotels and visited fifty-eight different
cities. Mr.. and Mrs. Spahr, who re-
mained in New York until to-day, took
another route when abroad.
Nesw From Those Abroad
Many inquiries have been made for
DIR. and Mrs. George B. Kunkel and
their son. Lewis Scott Kunkel. who
are in Europe. In a letter to Dr. John
f. Culp, of this city. dated July 26.
DR.. Kunkel writes from Munich that
they would stay there for week and
then go on to Vienna. No further
news has been received from them.
Miss Emma L. MacAlarney. a for
mer Harrisburger, residing in New
York now, cabled that she and her
party would sail from London yes
terday and land at Montreal.
Miss May Lemer, daughter of Mr..
and Mrs. LeRue Lemer, of South Front
street. who has made her home in
France for a number of years, spent
several months in this country and
sailed but few weeks ago for Paris
Miss Lemer is spending the summer
at her country place. Verangeville.
Normandy. near Dieppe. and is con-
sequently very close to the firing line
Of war. She is with influential people
of France and America and the only
recent news of her is that she has not
received her usual cheques.
Miss MAY Fox, of 129 Walnut street.
who is with one of the McCoomb
tours. cabled yesterday from Amster-
dam that their party was safe and
will return home at the earliest pos
sible opportunity
Miss Rachel Pollock has received a
cablegram from her niece. Miss Mar
tina w. Buehler. dated Monday at mid
night from Berlin, saying I'VE five all
safe here" Miss Buehler toured
Norway with Miss Mary Robinson.
Miss Martha Fleming. Miss Margaretta
Fleming and Mrs. Suzanna Fleming,
all of this city.
Nothing has been heard from Ed
ward Bailey and family since their
arrival in Scotland two weeks ago or
from DIR. Charles B. Eager. Jr., and
his party, now supposed to be in Ger
many.