The Anderson daily intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1915, 1915-03-11
EIGHT VESSELS SUNK
BY GERMAN CRUISER
CONTINUED FROM PAGE oNE)

French sailing ship Jacobsen, V. Le-
Roux, master. crew %. Society Les
Vo!lers Dunkerq@ois, France. Sunk
January %.
Shippers Tells Story.
ii. III. Kiehne, of Baltimore, Is the
master of the American ship, and af-
ter leaving the Eitel Friedrich with
Customs Collector Hamilton today, he
told a dramatic story OF his exper-
! ience. With him were his wife and
two children.
Despite my protestations that was
| the American master of an American
ship the cruiser Eitel Friedrich sank
the William p. Frye, on January 2S,
blowing a gaping hole through her
vitals with a charge of dynamite"
said Captain Kiehne.
II was almost becalmed when the
German ship appeared about O'Clock
in the afternoon Of January 81. My
ship was barely moving and | paid no
| attention TO the first order from the
Dutchman to lay-to. However, she
| bore on me and 1 brought my craft
to a standstill. After learning that l
| carried cargo OF wheat, the German
captain told me that 1t was contra
band and he intended to destroy 1t.
protested, but no attention was paid
| to my statements.
"A German officer and squad of men
was sent aboard the bark and l and
my crew were set to work throwing
| the grain overheard. Tie German
sighted another vessel, also becalm-
ed, and made for her. He returned
| about 10 o'clock at night, having sent
| the other ship TO the bottom, as l af-
| terward ascertained.
Cargo Thrown Overheard.
Evidently the grain was not being
thrown overheard fast enough to suit
the German skipper. for he sent half
hundred of his men aboard soon after
wards and the work went on for hours
| without interruption. However, it was
slow at best and was informed about
o'clock next morning that my ship
would be sent to the bottom, which was
done in the manner described above
1T was originally the intention of
| the German captain to leave enough
of the cargo in the hold of the ship for
| ballast. That part of the grain was to
be rendered useless by salt water.
"As soon as / was informed that my
| ship was to be sent to the bottom, I,
| my wife and two boys and the crew
uIade ior tne German cruiser in our
boats. We were taken aboard and
! shown every courtesy throughout the
| remainder Of the voyage.
For two weeks before making this
port ne German ship molested no
ships OF any kind and always avoided
them not wishing to give the Eng
| lish cruisers any wind of her inten-
tions. She proceeded slowly up the
coast, all lights that were not out be-
| ing carefully shaded.
Last night while nearing the capes
the wireless apparatus on board the
German ship informed us that there
were four English warships in our
immediate vicinity, two of which
seemed very close. However, we
eluded them and made this port in
| safety"
May, Intern Vessel.
| Collector of Customs Norman r.
Hamilton said tonight it was abvious
that the Prinz Eitel Friedrich would
| intern here. Commander Thierichens
told Collector Hamilton it was not his
intention to take coal only here and
that he had no idea of leaving port
within "a hours. Commander Thier-
| ichens further advised the collector
that the boilers of his vessel were in
bad condition and that repairs under
| six weeks would be impossible. He
lsaid under these conditions the yes
sells would be interned unless permits
| sion could be had to remain here un7
| til repairs were Elade. Every indica-
| ton points to the fact that the ship
Is here to be interned until the end OF
| the war.
Collector Hamilton informed Com
| mander Thierichens IL he had arrived
for coal the Prinz Eitel Friedrich
| would have 10 depart within "a hours.
The commander said positively tie:
| the vessel had not come for coal only
and his intentions were not to depart
/ within the 24-hour limit.
Two English vessels cerry Ing
horses for the armies OF the allies,
at first hesitated about leaving peft
tonight, but when it became evident
that lie German ship would not de-
part at once the two English ships
steamed out OF Hampton Roads and
| put to sea.
Begius Inquiry.
| Collector Hamilton will examine
| carefully into thedetails OF the sink
| ing OF the American sailing ship Will
liam p. Frye by the Ei.el Friedrich,
which occurred in the South Atlantic
| of the River Platte on January 2S.
The collector began the inquiry to-
night when he took a statement of the
master of the Frye. who had come
ashore. All of the members OF the
crew of the Frye remained on the
| Eitel Friedrich tonight and will be
brought ashore and examined by the
( collector tomorrow. The collector will
also cali upon the captain of the Eitei
! Friedrich to give g detailed statement
OF the sinking of the Frye and his rea-
sons therefor.
Collector Hamilton has requested
| the commander of the German vessel
not to use his wireless apparatus
while in port. Collector Hamilton
will tomorrow permit to be landed
oii..l,,n.a