The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1917-11-15
Captured by a
Cruiser
By DONALD CHAMBERLIN

When the great worlds war opened
several German cruisers broke through
the Gordon of British ships in the North
sea and began to rove the seas, sink
ing any allied vessel they met. The
most famous Of these was the En-
den, and she continued the work longer
than any other privateer.
During the first year of the war
was acting as chief engineer Of the
British ship Tommy Atkins, running
between London and Valparaiso. 1t
wasn't long before the German cruisers
made themselves evident in the south
Atlantic, and after crossing the equa-
tor we began to fear we might fall into
the hands Of some one Of them. Sure
enough, one day we saw black smoke
on the horizon which grew palmer ev-
cry hour, and we soon made up our
minds that she was coming toward u.s.
She proved to be the Emden, and
when she came near enough to us she
fired a shot across our bows, and a
few minutes later got a signal to
stop the engine. An officer from the
cruiser came aboard and directed every
one to get ready to be removed to his
ship. He came down into the engine
room, where was waiting in case /
was wanted there, and, seeing me, he
asked me If / was the engineer. l
told him was, and he ordered me on
deck and put me in charge OF sailor,
who took me aboard Of the cruiser
When saw the officer again he told
me that one Of their engineers had died
of fever, another had broken an arm
and they were short Of engineers. !
must take one Of the periods of run
ming the vessel
In a couple Of days we fell in with
an Austrian bark bound for German
port, and all the passengers and crew
except me were put aboard Of her, for
our ship had been sent to the bottom
as soon as we were transferred to the
Emden. 1t was sad sight for me,
seeing the others leave the Emden, and
l forced to remain and work for the
enemy. But what could do?
From the moment the last boat left
the Emden for the other vessel be-
gan to think how I could escape
service that was undesira BILE in that it
was for an enemy.
We were moving down the Brazilian
coast, sometimes within a few miles
of land My watch, or period Of duty,
had been changed from night to day,
for 1 was breaking down under the
strain, and it was one night when
was supposed to be asleepb that laid
my plans.
~ One Of the crew had died the day be
fore and was laid out for burial. Be
side him was the sack in which he was
to be sent to the bottom. 1t occurred
to me that if 1 could get rid Of him
and put myself in the sack ! would be
thrown overheard. Land had been In
sight during the day, and l, being
good swimmer, might keep myself Oh
the surface long enough to be picked
up by some passing boat
1t would probably result in death.
but preferred to take the chance rath-
err than remain in the enforced service.
I. Briton, to be the slave of Ger
man! Better hundred deaths!
At first the Germans kept a close
watch on me, but gradually they grew
lax / could do nothing harmful which
would not react on myself as well as
on them. Every one about me was
sound asleep. Those on deck were
wide awake, but all below, tired with
the heavy duties, were glad to sleep
when relieved.
arose, went to the corpse, put it on
my shoulder, carried it to the ships
side and through an open space drop
ped it overheard. / next stole knife
from sleeping sailor without waking
him. Then 1 got into the burial sack
and awaited my fate.
By this time l had learned a little
German, and in the morning heard
voice: "Where Is Hans? He was not
put in the bag" 1 heard a footstep
coming toward me end felt a hand