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February 2, she was back to the
Brazilian coast, where she destroyed
her consort, the st. Theodore and
began to make important captures Of
grain and meat ships from South
America. Sighted by British pur-
suers on February IA. the Moewe
again escaped and headed for home,
sinking six British steamers on the
way and making port safely in
March, 1917.
The Yarrowdale. equipped with IL
guns and two torpedo tubes and re-
named the Leopard, was sent out to
relieve the Moewe, but was caught
by the British patrol on March 16,
1917. and sunk after a desperate
battle, with no survivors.
The Wolf, carrying scouting sea-
plane, left port in the latter part
of November, 1916, but did not clear
the British patrols until December
10. She headed for the Cape of
Good Hope. where she laid mines
in the steamer track on January 16
1917, and continued around the Cape
into the Indian Ocean. She laid
mine fields of Colombo and Bonn
bay and operated against shipping
in the Indian Ocean and toward
Australia, returning to Germany
finally in February, 1913, after 141a
months at sea.
Carried Forged Papers.
The Seeadler, most spectacular of
them all, was prepared with great
care. She was originally the cap
tured American sailing vessel, Pass
of Balmaha. Count Won Luckner had
her fitted with guns and full raid
ing equipment and a 1000 horse
power Diesel auxiliary engine. She
was made to resemble a Norwegian
vessel, and carefully forged papers
were prepared. Twenty-three Nor
wegian = speaking German sailors
were carefully trained. They read
Baedeker to gain familiarity with
their supposed home towns In Nor
way and were given prepared letters
from supposed members OF their
families or sweethearts at "home." t"
They were catechized as to facts of
their supposed homes and families,
and woe to the man who neglected
to keep pace with the changing age
Of his fictitious child. One youngster
in the crew was dressed as woman
to further the deception. Special
cabins wert provided for captives,
with books in English and French
for captured enemy officers.
After long wait at Helgoiand
Blight for favorable conditions, the
Seeadler put to sea on December 81.
1916. As was expected. she fell afoul
Of the British patrol on Christmas
Day. A British party came aboard,
was completely deceived, and turned
the German raider loose. Clear
Of the patrol, the crew changed to
German uniforms, ran up the Ger
man flag and finished an exultant
celebration Of the holiday.
On the way south, the Seeadler
captured two British steamers and
finally rounded Cape Horn into the
Pacific, In June, 1917, she captured
three American schooners in the
South Pacific. Count Won Luckner
treated his captives with the great
est consideration and courtesy, even
managing to conjure up flowers for
q feminine captive on one occa-
sion.
The Seeadler met her end on the
rocks of the desert island Of
Mopiha, where a landing had been
made for water. Escaping in the
ships boats. Won Luckner and part
of his crew attempted to capture
. new ship for their return to
Germany, but fell afoul Of an allied
patrol and were sent to q New Zea-
land prison until the close Of the
war.
Sea raiding always has provided
many Of the outstanding romances
Of naval history. It Is not unlikely
that German raiders, now known to
be on the loose. may add to the
naval lore Of past wars, either In
victory or In their defeat.