SURRENDER OP THE U-BOATS

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 126, 23 November 1918, Page 7

SURRENDER OP THE U-BOATS

COME TO HEEL LIKE WHIPPED

DOGS

DRAMATIC SCENE OFF HARWICH.

(HSIIBO PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPIIUOET.)

(AWTRAUAJi-HEW ZEALAND CAOU ASSOCIATION.) LONDG^ 21sfc November.

It was a thrilling moment off Harwich ■when the first submarine emerged from the mist, and passed the British destroyer Melampus. The order had been given that no cheering or noiae of any.< kind should be made. A British airship led in the first section. The German craft, which had. the hatches open, no flags showing, and the crews on deck, •were escorted by British destroyerti. The fourth boa*, which was.3ooft lonij, was a submarine cruiser, elaborately camouflaged, and with six and eight-inch guns. Throughout all the British guns were trained on the German vessels to present th"c possibility of treachery. It was a dramatic moment when EearAdmiral Tyrwhitt, from the flagship of the Harwich patrol, hoisted the signal for the leading destroyer to lead the way to England, the submarines to follow. The Germans obeyed, and thus was the * surrender accomplished, the submarines coining to heel'like whipped' dogs; the British cruisers bringing up the rear. Twenty miles off shore British crews boarded the submarines and brought them to harbour, tie German crews remaining on the decks. The White Ensign was hoisted as each submarine entered the harbour, the German flag being underneath. In accordance with Admiralty, instructions, there was no demonstration of any eort anywhere. GERMAN OFFICERS UPSET. Lieutenants boarding the submarines exchanged formal salutes with the German captains, who produced their papers. A British crew was sent below to see that the machinery waa all right. The Germans displayed come anger when they learned that they were going to Harwich as prisoners, instead of going on board hospital ships and" returning to Germany immediately. Some of the officers wept as the boats passed' into the hands,of the conquerors. One was ■ much upset because his outstretched hand was ignored by a British officer. Even the crowds of civilians on the quay received the Germans without a word and treated them with deserved contempt. When all the submarines were safe in harbour the crews were cent on board" a hospital ship and , returned to Germany after each commander had signed a'declaration that the submarines were intact and the torpedoes were unloaded.

After signing one commanding officer, ignoring the British officer's salute, walked abaft the conning tower without speaking. Another, when a British lieutenant jumped on board, dashed his marine glasses to the deck in a .passion. Most, however, behaved decently. The crews, who were dressed in. their usual working clothes, showed little interfile in the proceedings, their chief anxiety being to return 1 home. There were no signs of lack of discipline, and the men •waited upon the officers as usual. Twenty more submarines will surrender to-day, and seventy others at the week--end.