The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-02-02

waiting British civilians will be put
According to the story told with
great reserve by Lieutenant Berge TO
Collector Hamilton, when he formally
reported hig presence in American ter
ritoria1 waters later today, the Moewe
captured the Appam bound from Da-
kar, French West Africa, for Liver
pool, after a brief show Of resistance,
ON January 16, sixty miles north OF the
Madeira Islands. On board the
Nfoewe then were the crews OF five
vessels, previously captured, all OF
whom were sent on the Appam.
From all reports tho raider is con-
verted German merchantmen with
false canvas castle concealing bat
terry of guns Of fairly large clibre.
On January II, she engaged In battle
an armed Australian trader, the Clan
MacTayish, which she sank after an
exciting combat with loss of fifteen
men killed on the Clan MacTaJish.
The Appam, which was ten miles away
at the time in charge OF the prize crew,
steamed hurriedly back to the scene
and rescued four members Of the crew
OF the sinking Clan MacTavish strug-
Cling in the water. 0"
Later, under orders from the COM
mander of the raider Lieutenant Berge
headed his prize for American port
and parted company with the Moewe.
Nothing was seen or heard OF the raid
er since, and the Appam steamed over
the ocean in an uneventful voyage,
reaching the Virginia cape at 5:45
yesterday morning.
On the Appam all told are 452 per-
sons--the prize crew of 80; twenty
German civilians, who were on their
way to England for internment; 138
seamen captured with the British
ships: 116 passengers on the Appam
and the Appam's crew OF 155.
Lieutenant Berge claims the Appam
is a prize of war but government OF
fcials have not yet accepted That
view, She had one mounted rife on
board when captured, but this was re-
moved by the Moewe and there were
no guns aboard when she reached
port except small arms carried by the
prize crew.
On January 10th the MoeWe cap
tured and sank the British steamship
,Farringford carrying 500 tons Of cop
per ore. Later on the same day she
captured the British steamship Cor
bridge with cargo Of 5000 tons of
coal. The Moewe did not sink the yes
sci but sent q crew aboard and held
her as collier.
For three days the Moewe was in
active and then the British admiralty
transport Dormonby hove in slight on
January 10. She offered no resistance
and was captured and sunk. Before
that day was over, the raider had met
and destroyed the British steamship
Author carrying 5000 tons Of general
cargo, and the admiralty transport
trader, with 5000 tons OF sugar.
No ship of the enemy was sighted
on the fourteenth, but on the fifteenth
the British steamship Ariadne crossed
The raidcr's path and was sent to the
bottom with her cargo or 5000 tons
Of wheat.
Next day, January 16, there appear
ed the biggest prize Of all, the liner
Appam, carrying 5000 tons of gem
eral merchandise including q large
quantity OF coca. One or two shots
we're fired at the Appam, but there
was no real fight.
The Moewe approached the liner
flying the British ensign and exchang-'
ed salutes with her. Then sne was
close enough to cross the Appam's bow
she run up tho German flag and lower
ed the false forecastle disclosing her
armament.
No one knows where the Moewe
came from, except the prize crew
aboard the Appam, nor where she
went. after the battle with the Clan
MacTavish. Apparently all OF the OPP
erations revealed by. the arrival OF the
Appam took place in the vicinity OF
the Canary Islands.
The Appam arrived on the Virginia,
coast some time Monday, but dared
not venture in until darkness fell, and
It was near daylight today when she,
appeared between the capes! She did
not sight a. single British or French;
man Of war from the time she parted
company with the Moewe until she
entered Hampton Roads. The entire
voyage was without aocid ent the reg
flular crew operating the. chip under