New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1915-03-12
REGARDED CARGO Of
FRYE AS C0N1RABAND
German Cruisers Commander Says
That Is Way He Sunk Her.


Newport News, Va, March H.
Commander Thierichsen Of the Ger
man converted cruiser Prinz Eitel
Friedrich, which late yesterday went
into drydock here for repairs sadly
needed after six months Of rowing the
the seas. submitted two statements
last night to Collector Of Customs
Hamilton Of this port. One stated his
reasons for sinking, in South Atlantic
waters, January % last, the Ameri-
can sailing ship William P Frye with
her cargo of $500 tons of wheat con-
signed to Queenstown. The other re-
lated to the length of time necessary
to repair his ship.
Regarded Cargo Contraband
Collector Hamilton announced that
he regarded the answers of the Ger
man commander as state papers and
that he would forward them to Wash
ington. It was learned, however, that
the commander frankly has stated to
American government officials that he
sank the ship Frye because he regard
ed her cargo as contraband of war.
In the communication relating to
the repairs necessary on the Eitel
Friedrich 1t was understood the cap
tain said the vessel would be made
seaworthy within a week Whether
he announced a wish to depart as soon
as the American naval authorities
could pass on repairs to be made, was
not disclosed. Previously, however,
the officer had made it clear that it
was not his intention to intern his
ship.
AS to the condition of the cruisers
engines and boilers, it was reported
that whereas she had been steaming
eighteen knots on hour at the begin
ming of her historic commerce raiding
career, she dared scarcely. make
twelve when she reached American
waters early Wednesday morning.
Captive Crews All Discharged.
After the ship went into drydock
last night, she discharged the crews
Of British, French and Russian ships
she had sunk, having released the
American crew in the afternoon. The
French crews left late last night by
the Old Dominion line for New York.
A few Russians went with them The
British crews plan to return to Eng
land on British ships laden with
loTSeS from THIS port.
Commander Thierchsen assured |
officials here that neither he. officers
or men of the Eitel Friedrich would /
set foot on American soil except on
official business.
Frye's Crew Makes Statement.
When the crew of the Frye had been
landed they were taken to the Gus
,oms mouse, where they made sworn
statements of circumstances attend
ng the sinking of the ship january
~, off the Platte. Collector Hamilton
ook the staten ents and also prepared
l joint summary Of conditions which
he members OF the crew signed to be
forwarded to Washington tomorrow.
they were not made public.
There was no conflict of testimony
by the members Of the crew as to the
surrounding the de-
Of the Frye" said Mr.. Ham
lton last night. "All were In line with
he details given by Captain Kiehne,
master OF the ship, who has said that
MS ship was blown UP with her cargo
IF wheat for Queenstown, after the
crew had been warned to board the
herman cruiser
Nearly Ramnncd BY British Ship.
Captain j. Wedgewood of the Brit
sh steamship Willerty, sunk Feb
'uary 20, described how he narrowly
missed sinking the Eitcl Friedrich
With her crew and scores of his own
'ountrymen who had been captured
before.
The German ship was almost on
is before we discovered her." said
captain Wedgewood. 1--WE were GO
ng full speed ahead and the Fried
ich was coming full speed about to |
am us broadside. She hoisted a sig
lal for us to stop. / kept right on.
tut swerved and tried to claw around
Ter to get by. I soon saw there was
10 chance, for the Friedrich also |
werved toward our stern. Instantly
saw my chance to ram her and gave
he order reverse the engines and
i've EN- hell for all you're worth"
Missed BY Few Yards.
Il thought I had her. We were !
Don going full speed astern and it |
eemed we would not fail to strike.
We saw men and women wildly mo- |