The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1918-11-21
Big GERMAN
BATTLE FLEET
QUITS TODAY
Americans TO Witness the Collapse Of
Navy-Escaped Disaster Only By
Refusing to Fight.

HarWich, November 2O-Somewhere
out in the mistry expanse of the North
Sea five American battle ships tonight
took up their positions in a fifty-mile
line of grayhounds which early to-
morrow will witness the surrender Of
powerful German surfacefeet.
King George, Admirals Beatty, Sims
and Rodman and corps of more than
100 journalists and motion picture
men, who will immoralize with pen,
brush and camera the greatest naval
display in all history, are on allied
warships waiting to witness the last
act in the collapse of the German
navy.
Admiral Rodman, U. 81 N, aboard
the American battle ship New York,
and Captain Beach, commander, will
lead the American men of war-the
Florida, Wyoming, Texas and Arkan-
sas.
Germanys sea surrender began at
dawn today when q U-boats gave
themselves up to Admiral Reginald w.
Tyrwhitt's fleet of cruisers and de-
stroyers 80 miles off this port and
steamed into Harwich, led by British
cruisers. Tonight the undersea SER
pents, deprived of their sting, lie an
chored here, under the Union Jack.
Only meager crews, just sufficient to
navigate them, took them out on their
last journey under the German ensign,
which was hauled down at the rendez-
vous.
The following account of the sur
render of the submarines is given by
an eyewitness of the incident More
than 80 other submarines are to be
handed over to the allied naval com
mand before the end of the week.
After steaming some 20 miles across
the North Sea the Harwich forces,
which consisted of five light cruisers,
and 20 destroyers, were sighted. The
| flagship of Admiral Tyrwhitt, the com
mander, was the Curacao. High above
the squadron hung a big observation
| balloon.
The squadron, headed by the flag
ship, then steamed toward the Dutch
coast, followed by the Coventry,
Dragon, Danal and Centaur. Other
ships followed in line with their ma
vigation lights showing. The picture
was a noble one as the great vessels
with the moon still shining, plowed
their way to take part in the surren.-
der of the German U-boats. Soon af-
ter the ritish squadron started the
"paravanes" were dropped overheard
These devices are shaped like tops
and divert any mines which may be
encountered, for the vessels now
were entering mine field.
Almost everyone on board donned a
life-boat and just as the red sun ap-
peared above the horizon the first Ger
man submarine appeared in sight.
Soon after o'clock 20 submarines
we're seen in line, accompanied by two
German destroyers, the Tibania and
the Sierra Ventana, which were tc
take the submarine crews back to Ger
many after the transfer.
All the submarines were on the sur
face with their matches open and their
crews standing on deck. The vessels
were flying no flags whatever and
their guns were trained fore and aft
in accordance with the terms Of sur
render.
A bugle sounded on the Curacao and
all the gun crews took up their sta
tions, ready for any possible treach-
cry.
The leading destroyer, in response
to a signal from the Admiral, turned
and led the way toward England, and
the submarines were ordered to fol-
low, They immediately did so. The
surrender had been accomplished.
Each cruiser turned, and, keeping a
careful lookout, steamed toward Har-
witch. On one of the largest of the
submarines, which carried two So
guns, 23 officers and men were count
ed on her deck. The craft was esti-
mated to be nearly 800 feet in length.
Its number had been painted out.
Near the Ship Wash Lightship three
large British seaplanes, followed by an
airshlp, were observed. The Harwich
forces and the seaplanes and airship
made most impressive sight.
One OF the scubmarine was seen to
send out a couple OF carrier pigeons
and at once signal was flashed from
the Admiral that It had no right to
do this.
When the ships had cleared the
mine field and entered the war chan
mel the "parayanes" we're hauled
abroad On reaching point some 20
miles on Harwioh the ships dropped
anchor and Captain Addison came out
on the wRrship Maidstone.
British crews then were put on
board the submarines 10 take them
lnto harbor With the eEnspiion oi
the engine stats All the German sail
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