Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-04-13


Sunday morning. was chased by British
warshps after midnight Saturday ard
barely escaped capture, was described
today by officers Of British merchant
vessels destroyed by the Wilhelm in the
South Atlantic.
Prisoners Liberated
Shortly before noon, the 81 British
Officers and men Of the steamers lamar
and Coleby were taken from the Will
helm aboard a tug and rushed down the
river 10 the British horse ship Cassan-
dra. which will sail later today for Glas-
gov.
The harbor was lined with British mer-
chant ships as the capuves of the Ger
man raider were released and as their
tug steamed by hundreds of British sail
ors lined the decks Of their ships and
cheered
When the liberated British tars reach
ed the Cassandra's dock. they tossed the
remnants Of their luggage aboard and
danced around like school boys in antici-
patton Of the trip to their native land,
10, GUS that they had escaped death by
the guns of their own country.s war
ships Saturday night.
Chased by WarshIps
did We see Warships Saturday night"
said w. J. Cow, chief engineer of the
steamer Coleby, sunk IN the south At
lantic March ~ We certainly saw one
and heard others. l saw one about mid
night off the horizon and she was chas-
ing us from midnight on till we reached
safety IN the Virginia capes about )
O'Clock Sunday morning.
"Of course we We're all put below every
night at o'clock. bur l could see the
dark dim outlines of the warshp five or
six miles distant after midnight. The
Wilhelm seemed to be the faster sap.
for as time went on the lines Of the
warship grew DINNER and DINNER until
she disappeared in the distance.
Our escape to this port was perfectly
marvellous. We were running with all
lights out and ut top speed from FIVE
o'clock Saturday afternoon when she
headed directly west"
Not to Keep Pledge
The British captives related how they
Wee forced by Lieutenant Captain
Thierfelder Of the Wilhelm TO sign a
pledge that they would not participate
in the war against Germany if released.
We all signed the pledge under dur
ess," said A. E. williamson. second OIL
Ger of the lamar, but because 1t was
taken under duress we don't propose te
/ keep the pledge. We are going back nome
TO do whatever our country calls upo.
US to do
Masters Of the British ships nad1
statements to Collector of Customs Ham
Of her OH
Both were sunk by shots from the kroii-
rrinz Wlhelm's guns. The Ccleby, tbs
last ship sunk by the raider, was de
s.roycd on March p. The lamar NE,
her fate on March p. ., .-,...o
The Kronprinz Wilhelm was being ccal-
ed and provisioned today. Although
Commander Thierfelder of the kronprinl
Wilhelm had asked for 300 tons OF Goa
and supplies for three days, the fedora
authorities allowed him $50 tons of coal
and provisions for three days. Before
she began taking on coal and supplies
the kronprinz Wilhelm had less than ,,
tons OF coal and scanty provisions for the
crew of 500 men and CT prisoners from
British merchant ships destroyed by her
in the South Atlantic.
Repairs Uncertain
Lieutenant Captain Thierfelder hal
been given "a hours in which to leave
port unless he needed coal, provisions
and time to make repairs. lie was un-
able to determine what repairs We're
needed and naval officials will make an
examination. Whether the kronprinz
Wilhelm will make another dash to sea
could not be learned here early today. 1t
is generally believed, however, Com
mander Thierfelder will intern his ship.
Officers and crew OF the kronprinz
Wilhelm today recounted thrilling tales
those of the Prinz Eitel Friedrich. Dur
ing her long voyage in the southern seas
since she left New York Aug. 10 last the
kronprinz Wilhelm sank IA ships, which
with their cargoes were valued at 81
o00o. Nine vessels were British. four
French and one Norwegian. Nearly a
thousand prisoners were taken. This
was accomplished with only four guns,
two taken from the German cruiser
Karlsruhe and two captured from a
British merchant vessel.
The kronprinz Wilhelm was forced to
come into port because of an outbreak of
the dread beri-beri and for supplies and
repairs. SiXty-six of her crew and
prisoners, i'll Of the disease, were to be
taken to hospital today.
One hundred and fifty tons Of coal, 50
tons of fresh water and three days sup
ply Of fresh meats, fruits and vegetables
were loaded on barges during the night
and were alongside the cruiser at sun
rise. These supplies We're allotted the
raider by Collector of Customs HamiI-
ton after a conference with the Wash
ington authorities.
Arrangements were also under way ear
ly today for removal from the ship of M
British sailors taken by the kronprnz
Wilhelm from tie steamships lamar ans.
Coleby, destroyed in the South Atlantic.
Condition Of Machinery
Commander Thierfelder of the cruiser
has asked for time to survey his ship
and to submit to examination by a board
Of United States naval officers before
making formal request as to the time
he wishes to remain in American waters
for full supplies and repairs. His ma
chinery after the 255 days voyage from
New York harbor is said to be in fairly
good condition. evidenced by the fact
that the shin was able RI make at 1caSt