New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-01-23
GERMANS AID CREW
OF BRITISH TO LAND
Submarine Captures Dur
ward, Sinks Her, Gives
Men Tow to Coast.

Rotterdam, Jan. -. ne BRUSH
steamer Durward, a i,300-ton vessel,
was sunk yesterday afternoon by bombs
after she had been seized by the crew
Of the German submarine U-19, while
twenty-five miles off the Mas light
ship, outside of Rotterdam. The first
mate. Mr.. Mcknight, who, with the 9th
ers Of the officers and crew, was aided
by the Germans in reaching shore, to
day told the following story;
AT about 1880 yesterday afternoon"
he said. 81 was on the bridge, when |
noticed a submarine a couple miles
of on our starboard side. ! examined
her through my glass and did not
like the looks of her, as she carried no
ensign sent for Captain Wood, who
came on the bridge. That submarine
looks fshy,' said. He looked with his
glass. Germans he replied shortly.
He Immediately gave orders TO the
chief engineer to push the Durward
along in the hope of escape.
The Durward can do fifteen knots
when pushed. but. unfortunately, we
could get only twelve out of her The
submarine. drawing closer, hoisted the
signal Mn which means stop IN
stantly.' Captain Wood took no notice,
but told the engineer TO keep the stok-
ers busy. The submarine then holsted
the i ID signal, stop. or ! fire The
captain stood like Nelson and could not
see the signal and the submarine then
promptly fired rocket.
German Expresses Regret.
"As we could not get away, We had
TO stop. and the submarine came along
side. The second officer, speaking ex-
cellent English. ordered us to lower 2
boat. ! went in il with three men and
saw two officers and two men standing
on the little bridge Of the submarine.
They were armed with revolvers and
we're all young men, but very dirty and
unshaven. The commander gave our
crew ten minutes TO leave the ship and
ordered Captain Wood 10 instruct the
engineer to uncouple the safety valves.
81 asked permission OF the second
officer TO bring our clothes off the ship.
He replied: Sorry, old man. II can't
be done. ! am very sorry. ! am IN the
in the North German Lloyd service, but
now ! am doing bit for my country
Captain Wood and the rest of the
crew left the Durward in a lifeboat and
the ship was then boarded by the sub
marines second officer and two men
carrying two bombs, painted rcd, about
n foot long and siX inches thick. The
men took them below. and after a few
minutes the Germans left the steamer.
pointed out that owing to the rain and
swell and our having no overcoats or
food We should be starved in the boats.
The commander OF the submarine re-
/ Piled That's so. ! will give you a
! tow
/ Thinks Gun Was Used.
/ After towing us.fOr a quarter OF an
/ hour the rope broke, but it was re-
/ paired. At the end Of another quarter
/ Of an hour the commander Of the sub
marine ordered his men to return TO
| the Durward, which was not sinking
the submarines gun, but from the
/ boats ! could not see her go down.
The U-19 lowed us to within 800
yards of the Mas lightship, suffering
much from the cold and rain and seas
We said goodby to the submarine and
rowed to the lightship, which sent a
wireless message to the coast, and We
were brought away by pilot boat 10
/ Maasluis, seven miles away
/ lBy wireless, 20 The Tribune. via Louishurs. y. $
The Hague, Jan. %. According 10
! information received in official circles
here. the Durward had among its cargo
/ forty tons OF foodstuffs and other pro-
/ visions destined for the relief Of dcs.
titue Belgians. This cargo was con-
signed TO the American Relief Commits
sion at Rotterdam.