SIXTY-NINE VICTIMS

Hawera Star, Volume LII, 28 July 1932, Page 5

SIXTY-NINE VICTIMS

DISASTER IN BALTIC LOSS OF GERMAN VESSEL FURTHER RESCUES DOUBTED. (.United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph Copyright.) LONDON, July 27. It is now stated that 69 lives were lest in the capsize in the Baltic of the German training ship Niobe. A dramatic story of the disaster was . given by Captain Mueller, of the cargo ship Theresia Rush which, after transferring the survivors to the c-ruiaer Koeln, arrived at the Hoitenau Lck early this morning. “We sighted the Niobe- at a distance of 800 yards at 2.30,”- said Captain Mueller. “At the same moment the flying boat Dornier Do.X. passad us. The Niobe signalled, ‘ Where do you come from and where are you going?’ but the signal was visible for only a few seconds when it disappeared in a heavy squall which struck the Niobe. The vessel capsized to the staiboard “t proceeded at full speed to the spot -and launched two lifeboats. All the crew went in them except the cook and mj self. The Niobe sank in two or three minutes and only those on the deck were saved. The rest wore trapped below. Some remained afloat for an hour before they were rescued. They rid themselves of their clothing. “AU the officers were drowned, except the captain. I picked up 40 I could do no more. Nothing could be seen except bubbles and oil. The Niobe lies 70 fathoms deep. It is officially reported that 69 weie drowned. A search by seaplanes and naval vessels for further survivors has been unsuccessful.

,V.O,N LUCKNER- NOT ON BOARD. SURVIVOR'S- TELL STORY. Received 12.15 p.m. to-day. •BERLIN, July 27. Forty survivors who have arrived at (Kiel aboard the' cruiser Koeln confirm the report that Count von Luckner was not on board the Niobe. It was reported yesterday that among the. victims of the disaster was the noted German, Count Felix- Von Luckner, or the “Sea Devil” as he was known after Iris famous exploits in the Seeadler. Ho lived a life of stirring adventure. Although he was destined for the army, being the scion of an illustrious line of German fighters, he early evinced a liking for the sea, and at a tender age ran away from home to serve before the: mast on a succession of sailing vessels, lie had sworn that he would not return home until he could wear tire Kaiser’s uniform, and he kept to his word. He became a protege of the Kaiser, and during the war soon won promotion in the navy. When volunteers were called to run the! blockade he was chosen, being the only officer m the German fleet who could handle -a sailing vessel. In daring manner he sneaked through the blockade, and then folowed adventure after adventure, in which he sunk countless enemy vessels, sailed across thousands of miles of the Pacific in a small open boat, alld was eventually captured at Fiji. He was brought to New Zealand and interned at Motuihi. His escape from the island was typp cal of his daring. Under cover of rehearsing for a play, he and his confederates formed their plans and orepared everything they would need to take with them on a long sea voyage. On the . night set for the escape von Luckner set fire to on© of the Hayricks on the island, and under coyer of the ensuing confusion and excitement the prisoners got away in the launch Pearl and made for Red Mercury Island. Capturing the scow Moa they set out for the Kennadec Islands, followed by every New Zealand vessel that, could join in the pursuit. Losing time through a severe gale, the escapees did not have a chance- to take on supplies at the Kermadecs before the Iris was sighted and the chase was finished. Count von Luckner was brought back to Motuihi, £\nd was again making plans to escape when * th e Armistice was signed In 1926 Count von Luckner reached the United States in his four-masted schooner Vaterland. During his stay in the United States he lectured and conducted hunting trips, also tours on his vessel, which he had 'renamed Mopelia. During 1930 he took a nunibei of American boys on a tour of the West Indies. He also proposed a tour of the South Seas, but the trip was not made. . , In December, 1930, lie was seriously injured in a motor accident in Illinois.