Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-07-10

latter company has pier and ware
house in which are stored the goods to
be loaded on the Deutschland for her
return trip
Journey Of 1000 Miles
In German quarters here the news
of the submarines arrival was hailed
with the keenest delight. Those who
Knew of her coming lad been conceal
ing alarm for two or three days, as she
was due to arrive about the middle OF
last week. 1t is understood that She
travelled more than 1000 miles. going
some 500 miles out of her course to
avoid enemy ships.
The Deutschland is no converted
war craft, but brand new commerce
carrier, built in Bremen and sent here
on a purely commercial mission, &C :
cordins to Henry G. Hilken, the senior
member of the Schumacher concern.
She belongs to the Ocean Rhederei.
Limited ocean Navigation Co., Lin
ited). and was launched at Kiel in
March.
The novel project was conceived
about nine months ago, Mr.. Hilken
SAID, by F. A. Lohmann, head of Bre-
men exporting and importing concern,
VINO organized the Ocean Navigatio I
Co. Mr.. Lehman is the son of a former
director general of the North German
Lloyd Steamship Co., and has the i'm
Hortant German commercial interests
associated with him.
Ihls project was conceived" he
SAID, by German commercial interests
who wanted to reopen trade with the
United States. We need some of Ger
many's commodities and Germany
reeds some. of ours. 1t is purely com
nerclal proposition and that Is all
there is to it, The time has not vet
come when Zeppelins can cross the
ocean. so these Bremen mercha nts
thought they would try a submarine.
nave kept the secret, Of course all
TINS time. to insure the success of the
project We expected her several DAYS
ago. Her crew must have endured
great hardship, and TO them the credit
for the success of the undertaking Is
chiefly due"
If present plans are carried out. the
public will not be allowed to inspect
the under sea wonder. nor will any,
body except the federal authorities be
allowed to board her.
The under-sea liner, Mr.. Hilken I'M
derstands. is about 315 feet long and 30
feet beam and is propelled by two
great DIESEL Oil engines. She is as large
II not larger than any Of the German
naval submarines, and carries $50 tons
dead weight cargo. AS to details of
her construction, Mr.. Hilken said, he
was lacking in information.
Most Of the information that was
sent to me- he said. lis probably care
fully tucked away in a pigeonlole of
the british admiralty Office, but don't
care now. The Deutschland is here
nevertheless"
Mr.. Hilken is an American and his
firm has been in business here operat-
ing ships under the American flag since
1924. Carl A. Luederitz, the German
counsel, is a member Of the firm.
When she will return or whether it is
planned to have her make regular
transatlantic trips, Mr.. Hilken refus-
ed to say.
The pier of the Eastern Forwarding Co.
was boarded up today to shut out the
view of the curious and the Schumacher
firm had arranged to surround the pier
tomorrow morning with a Gordon of DO.
lice. Mr.. Hilken will have at the pier a
high powered automobile to rush the
Deutschland's captain through the civ
on his errand to the consulate and the
custom house.
Six months ago reports came that Ger
many was preparing to put into the trans
Atlantic trade line Of submarine. that
would dwarf in size and achievements the
L boats which have been Germany's CHIEF
reliance in her conduct of the great war
at sea.
London cable reports told Of the or
ganization Of company to inaugurate
such a service and English experts
were quoted as saying that they felt
no surprise at the announcement Of the
plans when word came that a subma-
rine was actually about to leave for
this country. New York, Baltimore and
nearly every port along the coast ex-
pected to receive her. With the an
1ouncement Of the organization, how.
ever. it became virtually certain that
his port would be the objective of the
cruise.
More than 10000 feet Of good lumber
vas made last year from trees caught