New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-10-16
LEFT NORFOLK
FOR LONG CRUISE
Kronprinz's Officers Had
Prepared Yacht for
Sea Voyage.

Norfolk. Va. oct 10 Investigation
to-day IN Norfolk and the vicinity de-
welcomed tha. the six officers missing
from the Krorrrinz Wilhelm prepared
tho Yacht Eclipse for a long sea voy-
age before leaving Hampton Roads 1t
WAS also learned that at least five ana
probably more. enlisted men from the
ir+ernei German cruisers were aboard
the Yacht when she turned her nose
seward The final disclosure Of the
dav was that German officers and
sailors were seeking berths on outgo-
inr foreign steamers, in the hope Of
reaching some neutral European port
from which they could work their way
back TO Germany.
The names OF the SIX missing Off
Gers. as announced tonight follow
Lieutenant Hoffman. chief navigator o.
the Krorurirz Wilhelm. and Junior Of
fcers Ruedebash. Biekmann. Forst-
renter. Lussfeld and Fischer, whose
ranking is about the same as that OF
an American ensign.
Rear Admiral Beatty had not been
informed Of the disappearance OF any
Of the seamen. Captain Iherielder
would admit only the disappearance OF
two. Captain Fentress and r. u. beIt-
bou two Norfolk men who were on
fishing trip in the Roads, are posltiVe
that they counted at least eleven men
ON the Eclipse They saw the yacht
SUNDAY afternoon of the Sewell Point
piers.
Eclipse was Drovisioned Sunday al sew
ell Point. To avoid inquiries, the Ger
mans bought stores IN small lots ana
carried them 20 the piers IN automo-
biles. For this reason, II was aim
cult matter 10 trace their steps. But
there is no question that the Eclipse
was provisioned for a long cruise, and
that a quantity Of gasolene was also
stored aboard in fve-gallon cans.
Mr.. Bethel said that there were
eleven in the party aboard the Eclipse.
All Of them had on white uniforms. he
said. and some were German sailors.
lie said that the Eclipse appeared 70
be taking on supplies at the NlrginIan
Pier and left hurriedly when the otner
vessels approached from Newpor;
News. In their haste the vessel
grounded and the fishing party aided
in floating II.
The investigators do not doubt that
the officers intend 10 break their ps-
role and 10 attempt 20 reach some Tor
eign port in the hope of finally working
their way back to Germany Iher
plans were well laid. they are daring
and with favorable weather the kcApse
is believed staunch enough to make the
passage across the Atlantic.
RumOrs that the Eclipse was armed
with small guns cannot be veriiled'
Rear Admiral Beatty caused all guns
and ammunition to be removed from the
cruiser and stored in the yard arsenal.
No other guns are missing.
The efforts of two Germans TO ship
on Dutch steamer which left Newport
News to-day for Rotterdam aroused
Collector Hamilton, and Immediately
steps were taken 10 prevent any OF the
interned men getting away IN this man
ner Clearance papers Of all neutral
steamers will be held up hereafter un-
I'll naval officers have satisfied them
selves that none Of the German officers
or sailors are aboard.
Washington. Oct. 15.-All leave Of abb
sence for the men Of the German aux
iHarv cruisers Kronprinz Wilhelm and
Prinz Eitel Friedrich, interned at the
Norfolk Navy Yard, has been revoked
by the Navy Department until the dis
appearance Of the officers of the Kron-
prinz Wilhelm has been satisfactorily
explained.
The captains Of the two interned
cruisers gave pledges for their crews
when the ships were sent TO the yard
and under these pledges have been per
mitted 10 grant their men such shore
leave as they thought desirable. All
leave for the interned crews now mas
been revoked, however, and no one VIII
be permitted 10 go ashore except, on
matters of urgent necessity until It
is known whether the missing six men
- ,.inintcI infernment.