New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-12
Auxiliary Cruiser, After 255
Days at Sea, Slips Into
Port, Asks for Fuel and
Provisions and Is Ex-
pccted to Intern, Like the
Prirz Eitel Friedrich.

By Telegraph 10 The Tribune.
Newport News, Va, April 11.-Elud-
ing British cruisers in a quick run from
New York down the Atlantic coast. the
German converted cruiser Kronprinz
Wilhelm arrived here about $50
o'clock this morning. bringing sixty
ono prisoners, sixty-six men suffering
from beri-beri, tales of the sinking Of
fifteen merchant ships of hostile ma
tions, and engagements and near-en-
gagcments with British warships.
I'VE put in here for coal, water and
provisions" said officers on the ship.
we shall make a dash for the sea as
soon as our ship is seaworthy. coaled
and provisoned.'
While officers and men on the Kron-
prinz Wilhelm shrug their shoulders
when asked if she is the aid referred
10 By Captain Thierichens, commander
Of the Prinz Eitel Friedrich. interned
at Portsmouth. when he said he did
rot dash for the sea because of the
ron-arrival Of expected aid, il is the
general opinion that the cruiser was
expected by Captain Thierchens.
The record of the Kronprinz Will
helm surpasses the record of the Etel,
the former ship having touched no port
since leaving her wharf at Hoboker 2j5
days ago. on August 3, 1914.
Fortune favored the Wilhelm she
favored the Eitel. Coal and pro-
visions always were forthcoming from
the holds of merchant ships of nations
at war with Germany, when it VS.
thought her raiding voyage would nave
to be discontinued.
Captain Tells of Voyage.
A short but graphic account of the
remarkable sea scourging voyage was
told to Dr.. McCafferty, United States
quarantine officer at Old Point, by Cap
tain A. L. Thierfelder, commander Of
the Wilhelm.
I'VE were unable to get into New
York Harbor," said the captain, "and
ran down the coast 10 this port, being
chased by two British warships. which
we eluded in the darkness after mar
row escape
DR.. McCafferty said the German cap
tain did not state why he was unable
to get into New York HarbOr, but it
is thought the presence of British
cruisers prevented
Captain Thierfelder said he was
elated over his voyage and told OF
cluding the whole Of the British feet
off the Canary Islands, when he was
towing a coal-laden barge, by leading
the cruisers 70 believe he was an Eng
lish merchant ship. Numerous mes
sages we're interchanged. he said.
"Our provisions gave out in Decem-
ber," said the German commander. "and
we were forced to eat rice for nearly
two weeks. That is responsible for the
beri-beri with which my men and a
part of the prisoners are suffering.
Several of the men were critically i'll,
but most of them are on the road
to recovery now. thanks to the three
physicians and the hospital facilities
afforded by the converted wine room.
II desire 10 place the sick men in
one of the Newport News hospitals.
They are ou Of danger but will fare
better in a hospital
Chased by British Warships.
we were chased several times by
British warships, but were fortunate
enough TO escape each time. although
some of the escapes were too narrow
for comfort. Four times we communl-
Gated with British warships by wire
less. each time leading them to be-
/ lieve we were a friend. 1t was haz-
ardous off the Canary Islands, danger
Gus of the Azores ard exciting of the
Brazilian and Atlantic coasts, bat m
teresting and thrilling at all times.
Nearly 300 prisoners taken from the
first ships sunk by US we're landed at
Buenos Ayres in small boats under
cover of darkness Secrecy was neces-
sarv. for hostile ships were lurking in
that vicinity.
Goal gave out later and again we
were in a serious predicament, but
fortune again favored US. A steamer
hove in sight, and it was ascertained
that she was carrying contraband
cargo. We took her coal-a large guam
tity-and again were ready for work. -
Preceding the Kronprlnz Wilhelm
when she entered Hampton Roads this
morning was the British steamer East
wood. Several other British steamers
followed the cruiser in.
New York Harbor could not be en-
tered" DR.. McCaferty says the Ger
man captain told MIN. $50 we ran down
the coast and arrived off the Capes
about ( o'clock this morning without
having sighted or heard a single Eng.
lish cruiser
The Kronprinz Wilhelm is 25.50C
! gross tons and about 6l3 feet long. She
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