The midland journal., 1916-07-21
STORY of U-BOAT'S TRIP ACROSS
The OCEAN READS LIKE FICTION
Commander Of Intrepid Crew Tells in Modest Manner How German
Submarine Dodged Hostile Warships in Remarkable
3,80O-Mhe Voyage.

3,S00-mile trip, lodging hundreds of
hostile warships and thousands OF
floating mines. dropping to the floor
of the sea when endangered by ap-
preaching ships and running under the
surface of the water for miles to es-
cape possible pursuers-all this makes
up a story that is more thrilling than
any that has appeared in the pages OF
fiction. The imagination of Jules Verne
never conceived any tale more roman
tic than that told by Capt. Paul Koe-
mig, who with his intrepid crew piloted
the undersea craft from Helgoland to
Baltimore.
But the story was told modestly by
the sea captain, who refused to see
anything very remarkable in his ex-
plot.
Describing the voyage of the
Deutschland in quiet and simple
manner, Captain Koenig said:
1.-THE Deutschland was completed
some months ago. was chosen to
command her, suppose, because /
have been captain of two North Ger
man Lloyd liners, the Princess Irene
and the Schleswig, and had also sailed
into Baltimore with the Rhein and the
Neckar.
Knew Little Of Submarines.
Il knew little about submarines.
Indeed, this was my first long cruise
in one, but was given an opportunity
to make trial trips in the Baltic and
elsewhere. The company assembled
crew of twenty-five men. Most of them
are married and they range in age
from twenty-one up to forty.
my first officer is Mr.. Krapohl, my
second officer Eyring and Klees is chief
engineer. Klees is the most important
man of all.
1--WE left Bremerhaven at noon of
June IA. In our cargo we had about
$1,000,000 worth of dyestuffs. Also
carry 800 tons of iron for ballast. In
addition we were given three pack
ages of mail from the foreign office to
be delivered to Ambassador Won Bern
storff. This turned over.
"Well. we went to Helgoland from
Bremen. The trip consumed only
few hours and we kept on the sur
face all the way.
'4No, the British blockade is not
half as tight as they would have you
believe.
Had Much Oil Left.
sHere we delayed for nine days.
This was for the purpose of dispos-
ing properly of our cargo and ballast
and the reception of food and fuel.
We took on $50 tons of oil. We have
ninety-fiye tons left, enough to take
us home again.
eve had not serious accident. no
trouble with our engine or submerg-
ing apparatus, and had more than
double the amount of fuel needed.
"Only one case of sickness of any
sort developed on the trip. One of
the sailors was badly sunburned one
day.
I'VE left Helgoland on the 23d of
June and headed across the North
sea for the Channel. Almost all the
13 or Ia knots on the surface of the
water.
''In fact, we Travelled very little I'M
der water. Only 81 of the $500 miles
was done under water. Our practice
was to submerge for very short time
the moment we sighted an enemy ship.
We went under five times in the North
sea, six times in the Channel and
three times in the Atlantic ocean.
Under Water Ten Hours.
"The longest time we remained un-
der water at any one time was ten
hours. This was in the North sea. If
necessary we could submerge for -four
days. Then we would be forced to
come to the surface to recharge our
oxygen batteries.
"Once we went down almost fifty
fathoms. This was at the time we
remained beneath the waves all night.
Your see, we had sighted English de-
stroyers and merchantmen. 1t was
just small group-we never ran into
a fleet or a large group of ships-but
we thought it best to avoid them.
"Were we afraid?" The captains
laugh was dry cackle. mo, not ex-
actly; just cautious. We were not
afraid of mines because we had a
pretty good idea of their location.
But we did not want to give de-
stroyer or a merchantmen chance
to get in a lucky shot or ram u.s."
''How did you amuse yourselves
down there at the bottom of the sear
The captain looked little shame
faced. ''Why, we Played our two
graphophones and drank little cham
pagne," he replied.
Grew Played Graphophones.
Imagine the picture. Foggy night
heavy sea-destroyers prowling
above. and men-human beings like
you and the man in the next fiat
drinking wine and listening to graph
Onhoua 400 faot helOV tha Surface of