THE SEEADLER'S CREW.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 187, 8 August 1919, Page 8

THE SEEADLER'S CREW.

FATE OP THE ITJTECE. t ■.■ •- i STOsK AT EASTER ~\ (Karotonga Correspondent.) >JT_ It will be remembered that when the German raider Seeadler was wrecked on the Island of Mopiha towards the end • of 1917, the crew escaped in the Tahiti schooner Lutece, which tad been sent to ~ the island upon one of her periodical visits to convey supplies for the labourers there. The captain and crew of the Lutece were put ashore on Mopflia and tfie captured vessel sailed away with the Germans aboard. Since that date many conflicting -re. ports have been circulated regarding the subsequent movements of the Lutece and her eventual fate, but we are indebted to the Catholic newspaper "Yea Katorika," of Tahiti, for the following information, which appears to clear up the mystery:— In a letter from Rapanui (Easter Island), dated November 4 last, ParakatL the Catholic mission teacher, writes:-*. "On. the 3rd October, 1917, a two-masted schooner arrived here with 58 Germans aboard, who, after a two days' stay: ashore, proceeded to break up and sink the vessel. Upon being questioned by the Chilian Government agent in charge of the island as to the reason for this - procedure they stated that the vessel was leaking and unfit for further service. ■ "About two months later another sailing vessel passed close to the island, and 15 of the Germans gave chase to her in ■ ■; a boat with the object of capturing her, but they were unsuccessful. The Germans were all armed. The Government agent strongly remonstrated against this action on the part of the Germans, which' he said would bring discredit upon-*' at neutral country. From this time on the. ::. Germans were closely watched by the' native people, but luckily- no serious trouble arose. "In January, 1918, the Chilian :J. schooner arrived to take away a cargo of wool from the island. She left on. the- is 3rd February with the Germans aboard en route to Chili."