MYSTERY OF THE MOEWE

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 4155, 4 February 1916, Page 5

MYSTERY OF THE MOEWE

WHERE DID THE RAIDER COME FROM?

STORY OF HER CRUISE.

ANOTHER EMDEN ABROAD. (Received Feb. 3, 9.20 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 3. A s the mystery surrounding the Appam case is slowly dissipating, the humor of the incident is dawning on j Britain, and solid satisfaction is felt at. the safety of the passengers and crew, for wlhom some of the relatives had already gone into mourning. It is announced that the Appam had £40,000 in bullion aboard. The mystery as to the Moewe’s origin is as deep as that surrounding her present whereabouts. . The story that the Moewe came from Kiel Canal flying a neutral flag is probably a German-bluff , as is a statement that she is carrying a battery of huge guns, including a 10inclier. The Moewe is apparently the steamer Bremen, of 1251 tons, of which Lieut. Berg was commander before the war.

The secretary of the. Elder Dempster Company, states that it Avas rumored a fortnight ago that a German ship interned at the Canary Islands had escaped. Other mercantile marine offices scorn the suggestion that the Moewe left Germany and escaped the vigilance of the British Navy. It is much more likely that tike Germans armed the ship in some obscure American port. New York reports that Lieut. Berg told Mr. Hamilton (Collector of Customs) that the MooA\-e sank the Farringford, with 5000 tons of. copper, on January 10, and also captured and put a prize crew aboard the Corbridge, carrying 6000 tons of coal, of Avliich 600 tons was transferred to the Moeivo to fill her bunkers. Tho Moewe encountered the Dromenby. Avith 5000 tons of coal, and she did not offer resistance, and Avas sunk with another vessel carrying 5000 tons of Avheat and a trader with 6000 tons of sugar. The Moewe sank on January 15 the Ariadne, with 5000 tons of wheat. The Moewe approached the Appam on January 15, Avhen 60 miles north of Madeira. The raider was flying the British flag, and the vessels exchanged salutes. When near enough to cross the Appam’s' bows, the raider hoisted, the German flag. The Moewe engaged the Clan-Mac-Tavish and sank her. after an exciting fight, during Avhich the Appam, which was miles aAvay, returned to the scene and rescued four of the Clan MacTavish’s crew who ivere struggling in the water. _ Lieut. Berg then ordered the crew to bead' the Appam towards America. Both vessels used an unfrequented route and flew the British flag till the three-mile limit was. reached. Lietft. Berg states that, as a mercantile captain, he has visited Norfolk several times. He is a subordinate officer on the Moewe.