New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-26
Grief Sunk February %
While Trying to Run
North Sea Gordon.
RATTLE LIKE OLD
FRIGATE FIGHT
R-oadsides On. and Both Ships
90 Down with Flags
Flying.
r-t.. N n. r1tu,

.r C.t.. ~ The r1hur,
Ia-dor. March 25.-L.ke a mortal
.,~bs. between frigates Of old was the
s,c Of the British auxiliary cruiser
,l.,-t,ra with German raider on
r,t--rrv 90. News Of the engagement,
f, which both ships went down with
aars fy-r. was given out nr the Ad-
..,-,l,y to-day. Berlin also announces
..e battle. but declares it was be-
.see- ,t-co British cruisers and a de-
Grover and the German auxiliary
cruiser Crcif.
ON the day the Moewe, crowded with
prisoners and spoil ended her raids
nm British commerce and stole through
.te North Sea Gordon back to port the
Cref sought 20 escape As on the
Woewc. her guns were masked behind
the r,atues q a peaceful merchant
sF.r. and or her sides the Norwegian
fac was painted. while the waves lap
ming her water line disclosed now and
.ten a pair Of glistening torpedo tubes.
Creif Hoped to Escape Unnoticed.
During the hunt for the elusive
Noewe Che Groif hoped TO slip unno-
aeed out 10 sea. Even 10 inquisitive
British destroyers she presented a bold
front and was passed unquestioned.
Thus the Greif progressed until she
encountered the too inqulsitlve Alean-
tara.
Captain Wardle. sighting the strange
vessel. noticed that, despite neutral
markings amidships, she carried no
flag. He hailed her. and both vessels
lay 90. To his mesaphone inquiries Tor
particulars answers came IN perfect
Norwegian.
All might have gone we'll had not Of
fcers of the Alcantara noticed what re-
,embled torpedo tubes on the merchant
ship. There was also suspiclOUs actlv-
..g on dc r. Captain Nardle had de-
odod 90 lower boat and investigate
further. when the Germans opened fire.
As In the days before ironclads, the
sells lay broadsldes on. The British
were not long taken unawares. In a
few moments the Alcautara's guns were
manned and the battle began. Even
though she had been the pride Of he
Poya. Mails merchant feet. the Al
cartara fought as valiantly as any
Varship. The contest lasted barely
twelve minutes. a few broadsides and
She Grelf was sinking.
Her guns s.lenced her sides and
.~okestacs battered away, the raider
vas slowly settling. In final try
She jog 90 q torpedo. The motlOnless
o.
mar. after the Gref slipped beneath
the waves. the Aicantara lurched for
Va-i. ca1-izei and followed
Tic sound OF firing had brought
other British warships TO the scene.
Their boats rescued many of the crews
Of ,rc two fighters. Five German Off
GERS and ll6 men were picked up. Of a
total complement believed 10 have been
over 500. The British losses were five
officers and s.Xty-nine men.
Officers Sullen to Captors.
Nost o. The Germans seemed crate
u 90 their rescuers, but the officers
aero -llen, their hatred apparently
urwOc ed hv nearly two years Of wal
One ~ ttem was picked up uncon-
scole. lie was taken aboard one Of
're British warships and tended with
rnc greatest care. After hot bath
1e was put 20 bed while his clothes
dried
When finally these were brought. the
c'cer examined them with the great
r. c.re. Then q frown spread over
bis face. and hc remarked: you
damned British must be terribly hard
1p Tor clothes when you steal my ,ie''
Tho Admiralty statement rs as fol-
lows.
"ar engagement occurred on Feb
t-arE -t r trc North Sea between the
armed German raider Gref, disguised
Norwegian merchant vessel, and
r British armed merchant cruiser
a.ca-tar4. Captain T.. +. Wardle. L
fe'el r the loss OF both vessels,
.te German raider being sunk by gun
me and tcc Alcartara apparently by a
torpedo"
'FFe German officers and 115 men
were picked Up and taken prisoners out
OF i.e t..a. complement, believed 20
pave bee. more than 800. The British
losses amounted 90 five officers and SO
men,
L stoa'5 Do noted that during the
hrt.e engagement the enemy ured over
'e N1r e-a- co.Ors, painted on the
'ae O.. t.c Ship.
ms rea now published, as IL
Pc made clear tv the receipt Of a Ger
gan ".re.e message that the enemy
tf learned that tfe Gref 81 similar
,rp % -.e NoeWo, had been destroyed
te.ore che .cccedcs DO passing our
Inc OF patrols"
Tho A..aatara was q large liner be
,'grr -o .re t0ya. Mail Steam Packet
company. 20. Belfast She had been Do
mo .f~. Joe OF the Britt gOgernTne ut