MOEWE'S EXPLOITS IN THE ATLANTIC.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 49, 26 February 1916, Page 5

MOEWE'S EXPLOITS IN THE ATLANTIC.

i REPORTED SINKING OF THE RAIDER. - AFTER TRANSFER, OF CREW TO THE WESTBUBN. PRIZE STEAMER DESTROYED TO AVERT RECAPTURE* MADRID, February 25. The British steamer Westburn, of 3j300 tons, which was taken to Tencriffe by a prize-crew, was captured by tlie German raider ■ Moewe six days off Pernambuco (Brazil). The Westburn was taken to Teneriffe bjr men belonging to the sailing vessel Edinburgh and others belonging to the steamer Dromonby. Badcwitz, who commands the prize crew, wears an iron cross. The-name of the Moewe appeared on the caps of some of the crew. The Luxemburg* sunk by the Moewe,'is a Belgian steamer. It is believed , the steamer sunk given as the Cambridge is really the Corbridge. . The Westburn, when coming into Teneriffe, under her German commander, passed several British and French warships without arousing suspicion. When she arrived at Santa Cruz a British cruiser in the harbonr immediately left and lurked in the vicinity for the purpose of recapturing her outside Spanish waters. After disembarking 206 prisoners, the prize crew left the harbour and blew up the Westburn, which had been given 24 hours to leave, within territorial waters. They returned to Teneriffe in boats. Teneriffe reports state that when the German crew was transferred to the Westburn the name was changed to the Moewe, and the other Moewe was sunk because ehe was considerably damaged, rendering further navigation difficult.

RAIDER'S VICTIMS TOTAL THIRTEEN. "SEBIOUS BLOW AT MOST VULNERABLE SPOT." , (Times and Sydney Sun Serrlccn.) LONDON, February 25. The announcement of further exploits by the Moewc was not unexpected in shipping and insurance circles. Very high rates have been quoted. The Flamenco and Luxemburg, sunk by the Moewe, were seriously overdue. The Westburn left Liverpool for Buenos Ayres on January 31. The Flamenco was bound to Rio, the Horace from Rio to Liverpool, the Edinburgh from Rangoon to Liverpool and left on September 22, and the Luxemburg from Newport to River Plate, and left on January 18. A naval correspondent states that the victims of the raider number 13, with a tonnage of 53,000. The sunken ships' cargo was valued at £1,450,000. The correspondent adds:—"The destruction represents a serious blow at our most vulnerable spo.t. It would be absurd to deny the unpleasantness of the aituation."