THE RAIDER’S SUCCESS.

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

THE RAIDER’S SUCCESS.

SIX OTHER VESSELS SUNK. GERMAN EXPLANATION OF THE MOEWE. HOW SHE REACHED THE ATLANTIC. (Received Feb. 3, 9.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, Feb. 3. Later details show that the Moewe i captured the Appam on January 151 and placed a crew of 22 men aboard in command of Lieut Berg. After the Appam’s capture the Moewe sank the Clan MacTavisih', which gave battle. A. portion of the Clan MacTavi.sh’s meat cargo was appropriated by the crew placed on tine Appam. Lieut. Berg states that the Moewe sank six other vessels—the Ariadne, a trader, the Dromonby, the Oorbrid'ge, the Tarringford-, and the Arthur, and transferred the. crews to the Appam. He states that when the Moewe first came up with, the Appam she fired a single shot across the bow’s of the Appam, which did riot resist, arid Avas taken due. west across the Atlantic. , ■ • T - ’ ’ :•

When approaching Fortress Monroe the Appam, in reply to a wireless inquiry, said she was the Germah cruiser. Buffalo, 'and carried a single threeinch gun. Whether the gun was aboard originally or was mounted by the Germans js not known. The Embassy do not know Lieut. Berg, and suppose that he belongs to the auxiliary service. It is stated here that the Moewe is a survey ship from Kiel. She is said to have cruised the North Sea under the Swedish flag, and flew! the British flag in the Atlantic. She hoisted the German flag when approaching the Appam and dropped her dummy sides, thus displaying her armament. The Appam arrived in port flying the German flag with the German Prize crew aboard, and also 12 of the crew of a German submarine. After the Appam was captured she was armed 1 and herself captured two British vessels en route to America, which were disposed of. It is expected that the submarine men aboard the Appam Avill elect to be interned, instead of risking capture on the return voyage. If the authorities decide that the Appam is a merchant ship, she will bo returned: to the British at the end of the war, but if she is considered an auxiliary cruiser, she will, at the end of the war, be returned to Germany. Lieut. Berg states that the Clan MacTavish put up a gallant fight, in which fifteen of her crew were killed.