The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-03-17


Official business. He made this state
mcnt to Collector Hamilton after
stating that il was his intention not
To intern his ship.
in Newport News ship yard tonight
the released sailors of british ships,
after receiving their kits, marched
to street cars, singing "Tippcrary."
Commander Thicrichens agreed
late today to deliver in writing TO the
American government, through the
collector OF the port here, his explana-
tion and reasons for sinking in the
south Atlantic ocean the American
sailing ship William +. Frye. He also
agreed. after Collector Hamilton had
boarded the German merchant ma
rine destroyer and submitted neutral
ity requirements Of the Washington
government, to comm unicate an esti-
mate of the time required to repair
his ship, at the same time stating that
il was his desire not to intern his ves-
sci but to proceed as soon as the nee
essary repairs could be made
To the request Of the Washington
governmentthat he land here the
crews of the captured and sunken
vessels and such passengers as could
comply with immigration regulations,
the German commander gave assent.
The crew Of the American ship
Frye was landed late in the after
noon and arrangements were made
for taking off later tonight the crews
Of British, French and Russian ships
sunk in tho southern sea.
The Eitel Friedrich herself steamed
into the Newport News ship yard and
went into dry dock, where experts be-
gan an examination of her condition.
Held on board were about rs third
class passengers of the French steam
er Floride, refused admission by inn
migration Inspectors on the ground Of
ineligilibity. Consuls of the nations
represented among the passengers
will arrange as soon as possible for
their departure to Ellis Island. New
York. and for their deportation.
The crew Of the Frye was taken to
the customs house and made sworn
statements of circumstances attend
ing the sinking Of the ship January %
last off the river Platte. Collector
Hamilton prepared q joint summary
OF conditions which the members. of
the crew signed, to be forwarded to
Washington tomorrow. They were
not made public.
Collector Hamilton said tonight that
all the testimony was in line with the
details given by Capt. Kiehne, master
OF the ship, who has said that his shin
was blown up with her cargo of wheat
for Queenstown, after the crew had
been warned to board the German
cruiser.
TWO members OF the Frye's crew
remained on tho Eitel Friedrich. They
were German subjects, Charles Frank
and Robert Rogge. who were held by
Commander Thierichens because Of
eligibility for service in German arms
These men made no request to come
To American soil. willingly remaining
ON board the Eitel Friedrich, and
were pressed into service.
Members OF the crew of the Frye
and officers OF other sunken ships to-
night revealed more thrilling stories
of the Eitel Friedrich's cruise. Capt. j.
Wedgewood OF the British steamship
Wilerby. sunk February 20, described
how he narrowly missed sinking the
Eitel Friedrich.
The German ship was almost on
us before we discovered her" said
Capt. Wodgewood. I'VE were going
full speed ahead and the Friedrich was
coming full speed. about to ram us
broadside. l swerved and tried to
claw around her, but the Friedrich
also swerved toward our stern. In
stantly | saw my chance to- ram her
ana gave the order: Reverse the ell
gines and give 'em hell for all you're
worth
we were soon going full speed
astern and it seemed we could not
fail to strike. We saw men and women
wildly motioning. Little did / know
that there were British, French and
ltussian prisoners aboard. only
thought of the chance to ram and sink
the enemy But the Eitel Friedrich
missed the crash by only few Yards"
Yes" spoke up a. L. Dobbing, mas
ter OF the British ship Ada Short,
which had been sunk two do,. ha