CAPTAIN’S CAMOUFLAGE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 4757, 3 January 1918, Page 5

CAPTAIN’S CAMOUFLAGE.

A U-BOAT INCIDENT.

A remarkable story is being told by a New Zealand nautical man who has sailed in many, seas and who is at present in Dunedin (says the Otago Daily Times). He says that on one occasion the captain or steamer ivhich was crammed full ot war material for Mesopotamia . complained of illness just prior to the time the vessel was to cast oft irom an English port, and was taken ashore. A lmrried search was made to secure a captain to take tlie stea-. ‘hier out but as no one was available, the first mate, though lie did not possess the necessary tickets, was promoted to and ine were east off. Tlio stcamei > ever, had not proceeded far on her voyage when she was hailed *>y tne commander of a German submarine and ordered to stop. The commander then, according to the Dunedin sailor wanted to know what had happened to the steamer—“she was eight hours late.” The steamer was then quickly destroyed, and a number oi tlie crew were either di owned or killed by the explosion of the torpedo. The caotain who complained of illness and'went "ashore was subsequently' examined! by several doctors wlio could discover nothingwrong with him, either organically or mentally, and the sailor who tells the story says that lie was then committed. to take his trial for murder.