THE SUN ZEPPELIN.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLVI, Issue 12997, 9 November 1916, Page 3

THE SUN ZEPPELIN.

Tho text of the last message of the , j crew of Ll9, the Zeppelin sunk in the -:-> M North Sea after the raid of Januaiy 31, -]| is published in the "Svenska Dagbladet" »1| in a despatch from its Marstrand con®spondent. The Ll9 was shot at by Dutch j| coastguards as it was flying home, and "j was sighted in a sinking condition in the-.w«| North Sea by the trawler King Stephen, ol whose master wisely refused to take o® 'M the crew, as they numbered many more than his crew. |fl Farewell messages from the crew to their friends and relations, were contained "JS m a beer bottle washed ashore at Bolm- ' slaw in Sweden. -H The "Svenska Dagbladet" says that to 'i. the last German orderliness and discipline were maintained. In the bottle were found postal receipts and a contract for --S the payment for a lady's bag. Thg cards " found were in good condition, considering they had been washing about for six " months at sea. The water had not pene- " i trated to them,' but they had stuck to the bottle and were somewhat hard to detach. They were sent to the German Consul at Gothenburg and deciphered there. 1 " The letters of men face to face with death speak for themselves. Captain Loewe'a !, last report was as follows : y "I am with fifteen men on the platform ~ of Ll9, 3deg. east. The ballonets are * floating without the gondola. I am try- J ing to send a final report. Three times the motors broke down. . A light contrary wind on our return journey delayed us, and I was carried in a fog towaids H6l- -r 1 land, where I was exposed to heavy gun- . . * fire. At the same time the three motors refused to work and rendered navigation __: difficult in the afternoon about one "vf o'clock. Our last hour has come." 1

Captain Loewe's card to Frau. Loewe at Lubeck reads: "2.2.16, midday.—Last hour on. platform with, my crew, about 3deg. east. Have been thinking of you for a long time. Forgive me for everything. Take care of the children.—Thine—" (Christian name illegible). A letter to Pastor Braskhof in Hanover

follows: • "For two days and nights we have been floating about. No help. Remembrances. English steamer will not .save

A letter to Frau Flade, Lenefeld, east by Engineer Flade, reads: "My beloved wife and children, —Now my last moment has come, when I must , give up my life in this war. Am. lyingin the sea on a fragment of wreckage from an airship. Accept this last message from : your faithful" (name illegible). One of the crew sent the following letter to Herr Krude, Altona: "We have been drifting about for two days in the North Sea. Soon all will be over. Thank you once more again and again for all your kindness to me. Heartiest greetings.—Yours, Otto." •' A letter to Frau Kaul, Dresden, was: "North Sea, 2.2.16. Been drifting about for two days and nights. Good-bye for the last time.—Your faithful Bub."

To Frau Baamann, Sandbach, the fol-"' |owing letter was addressed: "Last greeting from your faithful George." ~ A letter to Frau Uhle, Wilhelmshaven: "North Sea, 2.2.16, noon.—My- dear « little wife, —After straggling for thirty hours our last hour has come. Have just had prayers. I now confide you alld Walter to God. Adieu!— Your Father."

A letter to Frau Busch, Neufeld, was: "Dearest wife, —My dear Albin. Unfortunately it is God's will that we shall see each other no more Dearest wife, I believe that our dear parents Witt look after you. We shall meet in our eternal home. Once more hearty greetings to you all.—Andreas."

There were three other letters signed Hans, in which it is again mentioned that prayers have just been said. A final letter says:

"My dear wife and mother, —-The time is now 11 a.m., 2.2.16. We are still living, but have nothing to eat. An English trawler came near us this morning, but would not save us. It is called the King Stephen. Our courage is failing us. The storm, is rising. Shall think of you in heaven.—Hans."