The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-04-07
Vogesen and Bluanberg Now
Fly Old Glory-All on
Board in Custody.
BOATS HAD NOT
BEEN DAMAGED
Scores of German Ships Are
Seized by U. S. Through
out the Country.

In line with instructions received
here few minutes after the war res
olutlon was passed, two German ships
IN the harbor, the Vogeson and the
Blumberg, which had been here for
the past two years and eight months,
were formally seized and all mem
bers of their respective crews were
taken into custody. Captain Paulsen
and wife, of the Vogeson, and Cap
tain Ahlund, wife and little girl,
were also removed, and last night
were CHARTERED at the San Carlos
hotel, in charge of the immigration
officer.
Twenty marines under Lieuts.
Spencer and Griffin with r. L. Leary,
inspector of immigration; Bruce S.
Weeks, deputy collector in charge,
together with United States Marshal
James B. Perkins and Deputy
Marshals Coe, Griffith, Mackey and
Paul, early Friday morning boarded
the vessels and formally took over
the ships in the name of the United
States government.
Six members of the crew of each
ship were brought ashore early in
the day, and later were allowed to
go on the ships and remove their
personal property. They are COM
fortably cared for at the hotel, and
the fact that they are in CUSTODY has
been reported to the immigration
department.
Waiting For the Flash.
Things worked fast yesterday, fol-
lowing receipt of the messages that
the war resolution had been passed
by a vote of about seven to one. The
officials had remained in their of
flee in the federal building through
out the night, and were in close touch
with the telegraph offices. Early IN
the night advices were received as
to procedure in case the resolution
passed, and plans of action were
framed long before the formal news
was flashed that the formal declar-
alton of war had been made.
When the flash came the marine
guard, under the officers named
above, hurried in boat from the
yard to the city docks. They were
met by the United States marshal
and party, who had been joined by
the immigration officer. The in
termed steamers were at anchor sew
eral hundred yards down the bay,
and the squads were divided. One
squad, in charge of Lieut.. Spencer,
went to the Vogeson, while the other
went to the Rudolf Blumberg. All
the officials from the city proceeded
in one of the boats They went our
in the Cupid, while the others used
the naval launch.
The Double Seizure.
Arriving simultaneously at the
sides of the respective German
steamers. the crew was aroused and
informed that they were in the GUS
tody of the United States; that
state of war existed, and that, being
| on German vessels, and constructive
" on German territory, they would
have to accompany the officers to a
designated place, until proper dispo-
sition of their cases could De made.
Taken By Surprise.
Every man, woman or child aboard
the steamers were taken completely
by surprise. While they all antici-
pated that the war resolution would
probably pass, thew did not count on
this startling move on the part of
the government, and were hardly
able to comprehend what was hap
pening in the early part of Good
Friday, Not the least resistance,
however, was offered, and by Z
o'clock all were in the hotel.
Old Glory to the Breeze.
Immediately upon taking charge
of the steamers, the German ensign
was hauled down and the stars and
stripes replaced that flag. The
American flag remained at the staff
of the Vogeson practically all day,
but for some reason it was not flying
on the Rudolf Blumberg in the aft
ernoon.
Just what disposition will be made
with the steamers remains to be
later worked out. At present they
are in charge of marine guard, and
two watchmen are constantly on
each of them. These guards are re-
lieved at sunrise and sunset.
Boats Not Injured.
On authority of District Attorney
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