The Punta Gorda herald., 1919-05-08
Captured by a
Cruiser
By DONALD cHAMEERLIN

w ueu the great WUEiuS war opened
several German cruisers broke through
the Gordon of British ships in the North
sea and began to rove the seas, sink
ing any allied vessel they met. The
most famous of these was the EN-
den, and she continued the work longer
than any other priyateer.
During the first year of the war
was acting as chief engineer OF the
British ship Tommy Atkins, running
between London and Valparaiso. 1t
wasn't long before the German cruisers
made themselves evident in the south
Atlantic. and after crossing the equn-
tor we began to fear we might fall into
the hands of some one of them. Sure
enough, one day we saw black smoke
on the horizon which grew palmer ev-
cry hour, and we soon made up our
minds that she was coming toward us
She proved to be the Emden. and
Wlen she came near enough to us size
6Hed shot across our bows. and a
few minutes later | got signal to
stop the engine. An officer from the
cruiser came aboard and directed every
one to get ready to be removed to his
ship. He came down into the engine
room, where was waiting in case |
was wanted there, and, seeing me, he
asked me If was the engineer /
told him was, and he ordered me on
deck and put me in charge OF sailor,
who took me aboard OF the cruiser.
When saw the officer again he told
me that one of their engineers had died
Of fever, another had broken an arm
and they were short Of engineers.
must take one of the periods of run
ming the vessel.
In couple of days we fell in with
an Austrian bark bound for German
port, and all the passengers and crew
except me were put aboard of her, for
our ship had been sent to the bottom
as soon as we were transferred to the
Emden. 1t was sad sight for me,
seeing the others leave the Enden, and
forced to remain and work for the
enemy Bat what could | do?
From the moment the last boat left
the Emden for the other vessel be-
gan to think how | could escape a
service that was undesirable in that 1t
was for an enemy.
We were moving down the Brazilian
coast. sometimes within few miles
Of land. Ny watch, or period Of duty,
had been changed from night to day,
for was breaking down under the
strain. and 1t was one night when
was supposed to be asleep that l laid
my plans.
One.of the crew had died the day be
fore and was laid out for burial. Be
side him was the sack In which he was
to be sent to the bottom. 1t occurred
to me that If could get rid OF him
and put myself In the sack wolld be
thrown overheard Land had been In
sight during the day. and 1, being a
good swimmer might keep myself on
the surface long enough TO he picked
up by some passing boas.
1t would probably result ia death.
but preferred to take the chance ratlt-
sar than remain lii the enforced service
4, BIito:i, to be the slave 0s Ger
ananl Better hundred deaths!
1T first the Germans Kept q close
watch on me. bur gradually they grew
lax. could do nothing harmful which
would not react on myself as vel as
ON them. Every one about me was
soBnd asleep. Those on deck were
wide awake. but oil below. tired with
the heavy duties, were glad TO sleep
when relieved.
I arose went to the corpse, put 1t on
my shoulder. carried it to the ships
side and through an open space drop
ped it overheard. / next stole a knife
from a sleeping sailor without waking
him. Then got into the burial sack
and u3aited my fate
BY AIS time had learned a little
Gern and in the morning heard
voice. Wkere is Hans? He was not
pnt the bag" / heard footstep