Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-12-15
Saw Seven Vessels Sunk Be-
fore He Was Sent on French
Bark Into Rio de Janelro

An interesting story of the daring
exploits of Count Graf Won Lucknef.
OF the German raider Seeadler, north
of the Equator, before going into the
Pacific, and being finally wrecked. is
told by Captain J. Mullen. who has
just arrived in sydney, says the Sgd
ney Telegraph OF November 2.
Captain Mullen saw fine vessels
with valuable cargoes captured and
sunk by the Germans. Captain Mullen.
with nearly 300 others, was over
month on the Seeadler, and finally
they were sent off in captured
French barqus and landed at Rio de
Janeiro One man. a steward, vas de-
tanned on the Seealer for gross insub-
ordination, and Captain Mullen is un,
able to state what happened to him
after he left the raider.
On the date mentioned. the mate.
who was on the poop, reported TO the
captain that vessel was in sight
flying signals. She showed the Nor,
wegian flag and numbers, and look
ed to all appearances a peaceful Nor
wegian merchantmen. Closer eXami-
udliOH luiOuSH Tue 6loooCS' hO"C'Cl'
showed by her maleuvering that
there vas something suspicious about
the craft, and any doubt members OF
the crew had in the matter was soon
set at rest by the vessel dropping he.
sails, and steaminE under the quarter.
at the same time lowering the Nor
Wesian flag and hosting the German
ensign.
Stop instantly, or l will fire on
your ship" This signal was hoisted
by the overtaking vessel, which prov
ed to be the raider Seeadler, and pu:
fear into the hearts of the crew for
ward. Standing alongside the man at
the wheel, Captain Mullen headed
the ship off bit. just, as he put it, to
give the Germans run for it" but,
with the light wind prevailing, there
was, of course, no hope Of escape.
Suddenly one of the big guns OF the
raider sent a shot dangerously close.
1t was evidently aimed at the fore.
mast, but missed it by 30 feet,
Raider eristlins With Guns
As the raider came up 1t was no.
ticed that she was fairly bristling with
maehiRe-guns, in addition to other
guns Of heavy calibre. 1t was not unit;
the raider had fired a second shot
which Just cleared the crossjack yard,
that Captain Mullen brought the YES
| sci to the wind Il did 1t most relue-
family" he explained, but It was nc
use jeepardizing the lives of my GREY,
as We we're already right under the
raiders guns"
A few minutes later d powerful mo.
tor-boat Is feet in length put out from
the Seeadler. The motor-boat carried
prize officer and ten men. The
prize officer saluted as he boarded
and ordered the captain to abandon
ship. He had been Instructed to sink
her, and his crew set about at once to
put bombs in the ship
Meanwhile, orders we're passed by
Captain Mullen for the crew to take to
the boats. Everything was done in a
quiet and orderly manner, and the
men were allowed to take their per.
sonal effects with them. The respee
tive watches, port and starboard, got
away from the ship without difficulty
In the boats, and second launch
from the raider put Off and towed
them alsongside the Seeadler.
Sinks 10 Seven Minutes
Captain Mullen was permitted to re.
main on board till the last, and. when
ready to leave, a launch was placed at
their disposal to bring them to the
raider. Most OF the ships stores were
seized, but Captain Mullen points out
that these were shared among his
own crew and others on board. Three
muffled reports-the result of bombs
we're heard soon after she was
abandoned, and within seven minutes
the ship sunk, bow first.
why did you not stop" was the
first question put by Count Won Luck.
ner when Captain Mullen boarded the
Sesadler. The captain made some
erasiEe reply, and his pluck evidently
left a favorable impression with the
count, for he was subsequently, treat.
ed with the utmost courtesy, being
allowed the run of the ship, with free
use 81 the stores, including tobacco
and cigars which were freely ex-
changed for some tobacco. Captain
Mullen mentions here that the count
played the game throughout. He
vas, he says. "a true sport, and
treated us all fair and square"