REMARKABLE STORY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 3 January 1940, Page 3

REMARKABLE STORY

A GERMAN SHIP TRAPPED BY BRITISH CARGO VESSEL SCUTTLING OF THE ADOLPH WOERMANN [United Press Association] AUCKLAND, 2nd January. A remarkable story of a British cargo ship’s encounter with the German passenger liner Adolph Woermann, of 8577 i tons, in the South Atlantic in November, was told on the arrival at Auck- j land of the British vessel. The Adolph Woermann. carrying a j crew of 127 and 35 passengers, left '■ Lobito Bay, Portuguese West Africa, | early in November. She was recognis- i ed in spite of her disguise by the British ship, which wirelessed her position and followed her for 24 hours, till a British cruiser arrived. The Adolph Woermann was scuttled to avoid capture. At 7 a.m. on 21st November the British ship sighted the Adolph Woermann on the port bow, bearing due north and coming toward her. Having received orders from the Admiralty to be on the look-out for a German Merchantman, the master of the British ship became suspicious when he saw the stranger alter course in a westerly direction. He decided to have a look at the vessel, which appeared to be a passenger liner, heavily-loaded and flying the Portuguese flag and bearing the name of a well.known Portuguese vessel Nyassa of Lisbon on her bows and amidships. The Portuguese flag was crudely painted on her hull, but did not have the crest in the centre. To make sure, the British ship went close to the stranger and signalled to her, “Where are you bound ?” The reply was “Bound for Lisbon, from Bahia, Brazil. REAL NAME UNDER PAINT In the strong morning, light, however, it was possible to see through the thin coat of grey on her bows and hull the name Adolph Woermann in faded yellow, well below the name Nyassa. The British merchantman, nevertheless signalled back, “I thank you very much. Proceed.” The British vessel then turned about and wirelessed a report to the Admiralty, receiving instructions to keep the German in sight till further orders were given. The exact position of the Portuguese steamer Nyassa was found by the Admiralty and served as confirmation of the German’s identity. With the intention of holding the German till a fast British warship arrived on the scene, the cargo vessel again went about and came up to the Adolph Woermann, which protested in signals. In an attempt to get some member of, the German r hip’s company aboard, the British ship signalled for a doctor, explaining that it had a sick man aboard. The reply from the Adolph Woermann was that it was utterly impossible. The two ships proceeded north on the same course. During the night, when rain fell, the Adolph Woermann twice shifted position from ahead, and tried to ram the British vessel amidships. The attacks were eluded, and the German was kept under observation by searchlight. WARSHIP SIGHTED At 9 a.m. the following day a warship was sighted by both ships, which heve-to. On the Britisn shin the order was given to send ail hands to action stations and to man the defensive armament. The Adolph Wcermann also waited lo see whether i.ne oncoming \varship was Uiend or foe, having wirelessed for assistance when escorted by the British vessel. Fears that the stranger might te a pocket-battleship, known to be «n those va’ers, was allayed when the vessel was identified as a British warship. Lifeboats were swung out from Ihe Adolph Woermann, which made the signal, “My ship is sinking. Am going to abandon ship. Stand by me.” It was then evident that the German ship had been scuttled. “f have never before witnessed such a tragic sight,” said a member of the ship's complement. “Women and children took to the lifeboats in a calm j manner. The sea was very choppy and a strong north-west wind was blowI ing, so the small boats rocked and pitched. Some of the women had small bab.*es, but they stood the situation very well. LIFEBOATS LOWEPED “The first boats to be lowered contained mostly women and children. They were followed by the crew and chen by the captain and the chief ofiirrr. All the boats pulled smartly sw£\ from the sides of the Adolph Woermann, and waited to be taken on the British warship.” As the German ship settled the captain’s lifeboat came alongside the Brit_ ish cargo ship and the captain’s request that the passengers should be taken cboai u was answered by, “The cruiser wi!j c fcide. Will you please lay by in the meantime.”

Under shell-fire from the cruiser, the German ship rap'dl.v otcame ablaze.