Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-03-22

Memphis. while In the coastwise trade
In May 1914. was chartered by the gov
eminent during crisis in the relations
between the United states and Mexico,
to transport supplies by way Of Galveston
to American troops occupying Vera Cruz
AS she left Boston harbor German
treighter fired a salute from a brass gun
mounted on deck.
WENT TO GERMANY ONCE.
Discharged from government service in
December. 1914. the City of Memphis
ioaded with cotton and started for Ger
many. the second American vessel to
take cargo of that character to that
country. She steamed up the Weser river
to deliver the merchandise and her com.
mander was rebuked by the authorities
for entering a river which was mined
Captain Borum replied he did not know
the Weser had mines, and sailed for
America
subsequent voyages took her to Italy
1ve times. Rotterdam once and France
three times. Captain Borum was de-
scribed to-day by Mr.. Peasants as an
american skipper without nerves and
without fear" While in Spezia, Italy. in
December. 1915. the ship was chartered
to McAndrew and Forbes. Philadelphia
licorlce dealers. to go to Turkey and bring
a cargo of licorice to Philadelphia.
or ScaIanova. Turkey, the American
met British and French warships which
escorted her into the harbor. but before
she could load they ordered her out on the
ground that they were about to shell the
town. The American withdrew, Scalanova
was bombarded and the freighter again
entered
DAMAGED BY ENTENTE SHELLS.
While in the Turkish port Captain
Borum entertained the authorities aboard
his ship and his vessel was known as
The Dove being the only neutral craft
IN the harbor. After she sailed the Turks
s'snailed him to return. but Captain
Borum suspected they intended to place
his vessel between the warships and the
town IN the event of another lombard
ment and continued on his way. A second
Smelling did take place before the City
OF Memphis was entirely out Of the har-
Dor and the American ship. Mr.. Peasants
said to-day. was struck by entente shells
and slightly damaged
On her voyage into the war zone the
Cityof Memphis each night carried a
reflector above an American nag paint
ed on either side and the ships name
appeared in six-foot letters in several
places.
The NiCi]ancia was built in 1890 for
the New York and Cub Mail Steamship
company, better known as the Ward
line. Until shortly after the outbreak
of the war she was engaged in pas
senger and freight trade between this
port. Cuba and Mexico. In 1914 she
was sold to engage in the cotton car
ryinE trade from the United States to
German ports. In March. 1914. while
on the way to Bremen, she was seized
by a British cruiser and taken into
Kirkwall.
Since then the Vigilancia is said to
have changed owners twice. her last
owner being the Barber line. but when
sunk she was under charter to the
Globe line.
She sailed from New York February %
detained for three davs az '~ clearing and
leaving her dock, by strike among her
crew. The crew demanded a 10 per cent.
bonus on their regular wages as war
risk. The demand was compromised and
the crew consented to sail The ship was
plainly marked as an American vessel.
Details as to what constituted her cargo
arc withheld by customs officials, but II
is understood that the cargo was valued
at nearly $4,000 and the ship at moro
than 100000. The cargo consisted in part
of provisions. Prior to sailing, II was re-
ported by some of the men connected with
the crew. that a large consignment Of
coffins was also on board.
Tho Nigilancia registered Ills tons gross.
She was S2' feet long. 10 feet of beam. and
was built at Chester. Pa