The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-05-08
Activities Of Steamer Mani
towoc Being Investigated
by. Government
VESSEL DETAINED IN
ST. THOMAS HARBOR
German Divers in Atlantic
Being Supplied With
Fuel and Food
NV Associated Prassn


Washington, May S.-The govern
ment is investigating the activities Of
the steamer Manitowoc and other ves-
sells of the American Transatlantic
Co. which are said to have carried
supplies to German submarines in the
Atlantic.
This was disclosed by the navy de-
partment today but no details of the
steps taken were given OUT The Am
erican Trans Atlantic Co. has offices
in New York and Boston and it's ships
fly the American flag. Officials here
will not say what had aroused their
suspicious but admitted that the ship
has been held for investigation at st.
Thomas, Virgin islands by order Of
the navy department. Both the state
and justice departments have taken
part in the investigation.
San Juan, p. r., May S.-There are
German submarines in the Atlantic
and until very recently they have been
supplied from the United States by
ships flying the American flag, accord
ing to members of the crew of the
steamer Manitowoc which for several
weeks was detained in the harbor at
ST. Thomas. Twenty one of the crew
are returning to the United States
after difficulties with Capt. Frank
Hogstead master of the ship.
The Manitowoc, Muskegon and
Alaguash, all belonging to the same
line shortly before the Danish island,
became the Virgin islands, u. s. A.,
put into the harbor at st. Thomas
sound from Bhenos Aires 70 rev
York. They were still waiting for
orders when the islands were transfer
red to the United States. According
to their manifest all thres ships
carried coal and other fuel supplies.
Members of the crew Of the Manitowoc
say all the vessels were loaded with
contraband for German submarines.
Had Chests Of Gold.
All took on general cargoes, oil and
food supplies which were covered over
with several hundred tons of coal, they
said. On the Manitowoc they said al
SO were placed two iron chests filled
with gold each supposed to contain
$3.50, 900. These, according to the men
also, were hidden under the coal.
While waiting in st. Thomas for
orders the Danish islands were sold
and they were not permitted to sail.
The crew OF the Manitowoc tried to
get some OF their pay while idle in the
harbor but Capt. Hogstad refused to-
make any Payment. The men theNE
made complaint to Rear Admiral
Oliver, governor of the islands who re-
AulIGu eAdpIcAh 1A0S6ICou " ucA GAAbCO
that he would not supply any more
enemy ships before leaving the har-
Dor presumably for Buenos Aires.
Captain Hogstead said he was un-
able to get any instructions from the
owners in New York.
One morning, according to the crew,
the captain ordered the ships nag
hoisted upside down indicating there
was mutiny aboard. When officials
oh 81 h. tn
sisted there was nothing wrong but
that they refused to work unless their
pay was guaranteed.
Shortly afterward, it was learned, |
the Manitowoc was ordered to sail for
Buenos Aires and they were preparing
to sail with her. when the captain re-
pudiated his promise to pay them. The
men demanded that they be sent to
New York.
Fleet of Twelve Ships.
New York. May 8.-The American |
Trans Atlantic company since early in |
he war has been operating under the |
American flag a fleet of twelve freight |
steamers known as the ''Wagner |
ships" r, G. Wagner being the head of |
he company. They have been plying |
Mostly between New York. Boston, |
Newport News and South American
oorts. Four of them. the Saginaw. the
xankakee. the Genesee and the Hook
ng were seized by British on account
# which q protest was made by this
resulting in controversy /
With the British government which, at
he time the United States entered the
var had not been settled.
The status Of the ships was under
in 1915 when it was al-
eyed they were really owned by Ger
nan capital. This was at tie time
when application was made by Wag-
Ter who is an American citizen, to
,Iace the ships under American regis