The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1915-11-25
FLYING AMERICAN
FLAG, BOAT TOOK
Coal. TO GERMANS
Captain of Vessel Re-
lates Tale of Big
Conspiracy.
WlTNE ssED BATTLE
In Which Cap. Trafalgar Was
Sunk by British Cruiser
Off Atlantic Coast.
WlTNE SsED BATTLE

New York City-How the Ham
burg American line succeeded in
reaching a German warship in the
Atlantic in August and September,
1911, with two thousand tons of coal
and large amounts of foodstuffs by
means of the steamer Berwind, on
American boat under the American
flag, was told on the witness stand
by the Berwind's captain, Fritz Ed
ward Falkenberg.
Captain Falkenberg, DIR. Karl
Buenz, George hotter, Adolph Hoch
seister and Joseph Poppinghaus, all
officials of the Hamburg
line, and on trial on charges of con-
spring to deceive and defraud the
United States. The Berwind sailed
from New York at $50 O'Clock at
night, August 5, ostensibly for Bue-
nos Aires with Poppinghaus as super
cargo and in charge.
Avoided British Cruisers.
Taking up Captain Fallenhers'
story there. the Berwind's movements
were as follows: First, Poppinghaus
ordered him to stay within the three
mile limit after leaving Sandy Hook,
10 avoid British cruisers, but later in
structed him to steer for Cape Rou-
que. There he told him to steam back
and forth. as he might meet German
ships. For thirty-six hours the Ber
wind did steam back and forth over
siXty-live mile course and finally
e. 40
sighted a German feet of five ships.
The ships were the Cap Trafalgar,
Pcntas, Eleanor Woermer, Santa Lu-
lcja and the liny &c, man gun boat
Eher.
The Cap Trafalgar hoisted the sig
nal 'B- NJ. meaning come nearer,
after the Berwind, on Poppinghaus
order, had hoisted the same letters.
The weather was stormy, the winds
high and the seas heavy so that the
BerWipd, unable to discharge her
cargo, stayed sixteen days with the
German feet. When the elements
moderated she discharged her provis-
ions and forty tons of many kind OF
foodstuffs and much of her coal to
the Cap Trafalgar and Eleanor Woer-
mer
On September 10. or thereabonts,
three of tie fleet sailed away, leaving
only the pontas and Cap Trafalgar,
to which the Berwind still was dis
charging her cargo. Before leaving,
Guns Transferred.
however, the Eber gave up her guns,
two four-inch rifles and six one
Founders, to the Cap Trafalgar. On
the morning OF September IA, 1914,
Captain Falkenberg testified the Cap
Trafalgar and Pcntas We're surprised
by the British auxiliary cruiser Car
mania and another British boat which
cameo on fast, intending to give bat
tie. The Germans turned to flee and
the Berwind. weighing anchor, trail
ed slowly behind, veering out of
rance.
THE Carmania gained fast. Cap
tain Falkenherg said The Cap Ira
fdlgar steamed south about mile
and then turned right about and fac
cd the Carmania. They We're about
two and one-half miles apart. The
Carmania fired the first shot and then
another one before the Cap Trafalgar
replied. They both then began firing
fast. Tie Pontas kept on her way,
leaving the Cap Trafalgar to fight
alone. In half an hour both the Car
mania and the Cap Trafalgar were
badly attire and in two hours the
Cap Trafalgar sunk"
Poppinhaus was aboard the Elean-
Or Woermer at this time, Falkenberg
testified. The Berwind later joined
the Eleanor Woermer and went to
Rio }aneiro, pot cargo and returned
home.