Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1919-03-12
BRITISH TARS To
DIVIDE MILLIONS
Bio Prize Fund of Admiralty Re-
calls w. w. Jacobs MANY
Cargoes.
Odd Things ARE SEIZED
Naval Marshal Tells Abou. lnroads on
Foes Shipping During the War
Goods Sold Bring in s7o,ooo,-
ooo-25o Ships Taken.

ooo-25o Ships Taken.
London.-When w. W. Jacobs wrote
MANY Cargoes" he had no notion his
idea was 10 be plagiarized, and pla-
CARRIED by great naval war at that.
But wars-like women-have strange
ways. And not the least strange OF
them Is the working Of the department
Of the British marshal of the ad-
miralty and prize court.
In time Of history 1t was the duty
Of this hlshfaluting dignitary to ar
range for and attend the execution of
prisoners sentenced to death for muir
der on the high seas. And II is on
record that the marshal OF the olden
time attended the execution OF Ad-
miral Byng-a British commander,
who was shot on his own quarterback,
as penalty for losing battle. Times
have changed. The modern marshal is
only a milk and water edition of his
sterner prototype. He Is the watch
man, stevedore, caretaker and guar
dian angel in chief Of all German
shipping that has fallen into allied
hands during the war. and incidentally,
of the British naval prize fund, Of
which thousands of British jack tars
and their officers are now awaiting
their share.
The MANY Cargoes" to be divided
vary from priceless emerald to tin
kettle. The gross proceeds of the sale
NJ ShinS' unndr hn marshal told
New York Sun reporter amounted to
s70,00o,0oO. but this included goods
seized under the blockade, which must
be held pending the conclusion of
peace. 1t was not possible to say what
the amount Of the prize fund would be-
There was plenty Of work for the prize
court.
ESQ Ships Seized During War.
"The president Lord Phillimore)
has sat every day since he was ap-
pointed, and there would appear to be
quite another years work before the
court" said the marshal. Including
vessels seized in port upon the out
break Of war. which numbered over
100, about $50 ships have gone into
my custody In the United Kingdom
Comparatively speaking, quite small
number Of ships have been sold. The
majority have been requisitioned by
the government.
Hundreds of thousands Of tons OF
goods Of all observation-disclosures,
aluminium, metals, wool, cotton, lard,
oils and fats, coffee, cocoa, dried fruits.
wheat, barley, hides, leather, tobacco,
nitrates. zinc concentrates, diamonds,
pearls, human hair, false teeth and
many other things-all are among the
prize captures"
Producing two catalogues, the mar
shall remarked: From these you can
gain good idea OF the various classes
of goods seized In the letters and par
cells mails, from precious stones to fry
ing pans. printing paper, pottery.
transfers. boots and shoes. boys and
mems clothes and women's undercloth-
Ing"
Abiding to the quantities of bonds
and securities captured, he said the
interrogation of these securities proved
powerful lever In British hands,
causing serious interruption of German
trade and damage to German credit.
Amusing Incident
An amusing Incident" said the
marshal, happened In the earliest
days OF the war, when upon a large
enemy vessel, brought In by the navy,
some alligators were found. The off,
Ger Of customs at the outport In ad-
vising me Of the seizure appeared to
be very nervous of their presence,
Some he thought were dead, because
their eyes were shut, and some were
too much alive.
"The geological society not being
anxious to have them they were sold
to a buyer who subsequently toured
the provinces, exhibiting them as
prize alllgators.
Eighteen months later the owner
appeared in the prize proceedings and
obtained a release of the proceeds of
sale only. He appeared astonished to
find that they had been sold. / don't
know" said the marshal, show he
expected me to feed and look after the
animals for eighteen months. I heard
that he expressed himself very forcibly
to the innocent purchaser"
The seized goods have proved use
full, In some cases stimulating British
! manufacturing and trade. A museum
of samples of the goods seized is to be
taken. round the provinces. SO that
manufacturers may see the class and
style of goods the Germans were man.
ufacturing and for what market, some
J Of the goods being of excellent class