Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1916-02-04
PRISONERS RELEASED
Crews of British Vessels Freed Upon
Demand of United states

Newport News, Va. Feb 4-lhe
messengers and crew of the British
steamer Appam, captured by the 1er-
man commerce raider Moewe, were
landed here yesterday With them
came ashore the captains and crews
of seven other British vessels when
had been sunk by the Moewe.
The prisoners on the .Appam were
released by Lieut.. Berg, in command
of the German prize crew. on de-
mand of the United States govern
ment. The following order was handed
to collector of the Custom Norman X.
Hamilton.
"You will release from the steam
ship Appam all those persons who de-
sire. and who came in n the ship
except the prize officer and prize
crew or any who acted as part OF
said prize crew in the navigation OF
the ship"
About 400 persons quit the ship
and were brought ashore here. Some
twenty Germans. prisoners on the Ap-
pam. who had been released by the
prize crew. elected to remain aboard.
Among them were three women.
The Decentralization was carried ont
with jubilaton and rejoicing by the
passengers and British crews. No hap
pier party ever came down Il gang
way. The Britons fratern!zed in the
local hotels and bars until they took
ship for Norfolk, where many later
boarded coastwise steamers and took
trains for New York and Washing
ton.
At the last moment sharp con-
trcversy took place, and it appeared
for a time that Capt. Harrison former
commander of the Appam, and his
crew OF l52 might remain aboard.
He received orders from the Elder
Dempster line. British owners Of the
Appam, not to leave the hip. The
British Embassy in the meantime.
ordered all the English aboard to get
off as soon as Lieut. Berg would lei
them.
The action of the Elder-Dempster
Line apparently was taken i'll support
of their claim that the ship is sheir
property. They hold that the Ger
man forfeited claim to the .Appam
by bringing her into Il neutral port
and remaining in neutral waters.
Five members of the crew OF th"
surkcn CLAN McTavish. VINO were
picked Up by the Appam, were taken
to hospital. They are suffering
from wounds received in the engage
mcnt between the Clan McTavish and
ihc Moewe
Norfolk. Feb 4.-F'rom what is con-
sdered reliable source. it is learned
that there was a real German war
ship reported in the vicinity Of the
Canary Islands on January II, when
the German steamer Moewe, OF
Ponga, captured the British liner .Ap-
pam. now at anchor in Hampton
Roads. 1t was the cruiser Room, a
fleet sea fighter with Il full armam.
cnt of eight inch guns. The Room stood
10 miles away, according to the re-
pert. and directed the capture Of
the .Appam by wireless. The infor-
nation came from an English naval
officer. it is said, who is now held on
board the Appam. Capt Harrison of
the Appam declares he feels confident
there were other German vessels IN
the vicinity Of the ship. that captured
the Appam.
Old Poipt Comfort, Feb. 4.-That
the ship which captured the British
African liner Appam was the 1reIgh-
ter Ponga, and not the Moewe, as re.
ported is the assertion Of Capt. Rob
! ert Reid. Of the Ariadne, that was
sunk on the day the Appam was seiz'
ed as a prize of war, Capt. Reid said
| that he was sure the German raider
was the Ponga, German auxiliary
cruiser.