New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-03-11
PrinZ Eitel Friedrich
EludeS 4 Cruisers
Has 35OPriSOnerS.
ENDS VOYAGE
OF $4,000 NILES
Bark William p. Frye Was
Dynamited on Kaiser's
Birthday.
CAPTAINS PROTEST
MADE IN VAIN
Auxiliary Cruiser Probably VIII
Be Interned During War
British Ships on Guard.
IBy Telegraph to Th. Trbun.

lBT Telegraph 70 The Tribune
Newport, News, Va, March ior~
When the German auxiliary cruiser
Prinz Eitel Friedrich took refuge hero
to-day it became known for the first
time that an American ship, flying the
American flag and laden with non-eon-
traband, had been deliberately sunk BY
a belligerent in the European war.
On January % the commander Of ths
Prinz Eitel sank the American four
masted bark William P. Frye with
charge Of dynamite.
Captain H. II. Keihne, master Of the
Frye, who, with his wife and two littls
sons, was among the prisoners on tho
Prinz Eitel when she reached here,
tells the following story OF her destrue.
tion:
Despite my protestation that was
the American master Of an American
ship, the German cruiser Prinz Eitel
Friedrich sank the William p. Frye on
the morning Of January 2s. blowing q
charge of dynamite.
Masters Protests Ignored.
"I was almost becalmed when the
German ship appeared, about Q o'clock
in the afternoon Of January 27. My
ship was barely moving, and paid no
attention to the first order Of the
German to lay 10. However, she bore
down on me, sad | brought my craft
to a standstill. After learning that
carried a cargo of wheat, the German
captain told me that il was contrabsnd
and he intended to destroy IL. pro-
tested, but no attention was paid 10 my
statements.
"a German officer and SQUAD Of men
were sent aboard the bark and I and
my crew were set 70 work throwing
grain overheard. The German sighted
another vessel, also becalmed, and
made for her. He returned about 10
o'clock at night, having sent the other
ship to the bottom, as afterward as
certained.
Evidently the grain was not being
thrown overheard fast enough 10 suit
the German skipper. for he sent half
hundred Of his men aboard soon after
ward and the work went on for hours
without interruption. However, IL was
slow at best and was informed next
morning that my ship would be sent 20
the bottom, which was done in the
manner described
at 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 10
be rendered useless by salt water.
"As soon as | was Informed that my
ship was to be sent 10 the bottom I.
my wife and two boys and the crew
made for the German cruiser in our
boats. We were taken on board and
shown every courtesy throughout the
remainder of the voyage,
"For two weeks before making this
port the German ship molested no
ships of any kind and always avoided
them, not wishing 10 give the English
cruisers any wind Of her intention.
She proceeded slowly up the coast. all
lights that were not out being care
fully shaded.
Dodged British warships.
LAST night, while nearing the capes.
the wireless apparatus on board the
German ship Informed us that there
were four English warships in our i'm
mediate vicinity, two of which seemed
very close. However, we eluded them
and made this port in safety.
AN officer on the German cruiser
stated that a black hulk was seen In
the darkness about the time the wire
less gave notice OF the proximity OF
the English men-of-war Many were
Of the opinion that it was one Of the
English ships, but nothing came OF
/ the matter
Captain Kiehne said the Prinz Eitel
/ Friedrich sent three ships 20 the bot
/ tom on the Kaiser's birthday the day
on which the American bark was over
hauled. lie did not remember their
names.
/ The William p. Frye, Of Bath. Ne.
was owned by Arthur Sewall & Co.
/ Mr. Sewal ran for Vice President %
/ the United States IN 1900. When over
/ hauled By the German cruiser she was
bound from Seattle for Queenstown
with q cargo Of wheat for orders.
Captain Kiehne has made several
trips from Newport News. and is well
known in shipping circles here.
The captains wife said this after
noon that she and the children were a
little frightened when overtaken by
the German cruiser, but her fears were
allayed when she went aboard the
cruiser. the officers and men making
every effort TO give them all possible
comforts. Captain Kiehne's home i.
1910 Thames Street. Baltimore.
Expect German to Intern.
Collector Hamilton said tonight 4
was obvious that the Prnz Eitel Fried
rich would intern here. Commander
Thierichens told the Collector he hac
no idea OF leaving port within twenty
four hours, as the boilers of his vesse
u,ere in had condition and repairs IN