New Britain herald., 1915-03-11

ficers and anticipating the captains
birthday today"
American Masters Statement.
H. H. Kiehne of Baltimore, master
of the American ship, after leaving
the Eitel Friedrich with Customs
Collector Hamilton yesterday told
dramatic story Of his experience. With
him were his wife and two children
Despite my protestations that
was the American master OF an
American ship. the German cruiser
Eitel Friedrich and the William +.
Frye. on the morning Of January 2S,
blew a gaping hole through her
vitals with a charge of dynamite
said Captain Kiehne. Il was almost
becalmed when the German ship ap-
peared about 2 o'clock in the after
noon of January 81. My ship was
barely moving and / paid no atten-
ton to the first order from the Ger
man to lay to. However she bore
down on me and 1 brought my craft
to standstill. After learning that I
carried a cargo of wheat, the German
captain told me that it was contra
band and he intended to destroy it.
to my statements.
Threw Grain Overheard.
"A German Officer and squad of
men were sent aboard the bark and
l and my crew were set to work
throwing the grain overheard The
German sighted another vessel also
becalmed and made for her He re-
turned about 10 o'clock at night. hav-
ing sent the other ship to the bot
tom, as I afterwards ascertained
Evidently the grain was not being
thrown overheard fast enough to
suit the German skipper, for he sent
a half hundred Of his men on board
soon afterwards and the work went
on for hours without INTERRUPTION.
However, 1t was slow at best and
was informed about 2 o'clock next
morning my ship would be sent to
the bottom which was done in the
manner described above.
1T was originally the intention of
the German captain to leave enough
OF the cargo in the hold of the ship
was to be rendered useless by salt
water.
Escaped In Boats.
LAS soon as I was informed that
my ship was to be sent to the bottom
II, my wife and two boys and the
crew made for the German cruiser in
our boats.
I'VE were taken aboard and shown
every courtesy throughout the re-
mainder 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 to give
the English cruisers any wind OF her
intentions. She proceeded slowly up
the coast, all lights that were not
out being carefully shaded.
Last night while nearing the
capes the wireless apparatus on
board the Ethel informed us that
there were four English war vessels
in our immediate 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
wireless gave notice of the proximity
Of the English men of war. Many
believed it was one of the English
ships.
Celebrated Kaiser's Birthday.
Captain Kiehne, asked about other
matters, said:
1.-The Eitel Friedrich sent three
ships to the bottom on the kaiser's
birthday. the day on which the Amer
lean bark was overhauled"
The William P. Frye Of Bath. Me.
was owned by the Arthur sewall
company. When overhauled by the
German cruiser she was bound from
Seattle to Queenstown with a cargo
Of wheat for orders. The shippers
wife said today she and the children
were frightened When overtaken by
the German cruiser, but that her
fears were allayed when she went
aboard the cruiser, the officers and
men making every effort to give
them all possible comforts.
The Paymaster's story.
Asked why the Eitel Friedrich left
the Pacific. Paymaster Loussau said:
Because we found little to do.
We were after merchantmen and for
days we cruised about and saw moth
ing. When we reached the Soutf,
Atlantic we had better luck. We
were surprised not to find British
ships In the Atlantic. 1t Is true we
heard British wireless talking and
we were glad OF that, because until
fourteen days ago we had no news.
Then we got considerable from the
British wireless, but the trouble was
it was all from the English side"
The German officer expressed sur
prise that any of the cruiser En-
den's crew had reached shore and