CAPTURE OF THE SEEADLER.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 November 1917, Page 5

CAPTURE OF THE SEEADLER.

A RETURNED SOLDIER'S STORY. An interesting account of the capture of tjio Sccadler's crew is given by Mr. •I. (!. Spencer, «a returned soldier, who has been visiting Gisborne. Mr. Spencer was one of those who escorted the captured crew from the Islands. In conversation with a Herald representative. he gave&the story as follows: While in cli orgs'of a wireless station he was called nut to help search for other parties of the crew who were stated to 'in about the island in four boats. It ippears a whaleboat had been driven by a storm on to a small island about two hours' sail from Levuka, and seeing the crew of the boat in uniform, the only occupant of the island, a quarter-easts named Hill took his boat and Towed across to Levuka. His story was at first disbelieved, but eventualy it gained credence among the authorities, who commissioned the steamer Amra to search for the launch. On arriving at the locality the raiding crew, believing the Amra to be armed, surrendered. On being taken aboard, the German commander, Count, von Lucknow expressed surprise at finding the vessel unarmed. Producing two bombs from his pockets 110 stated 1(0 could vet capture the ship. Asked why lie did no,t he stated that as his whereabouts wqre now known, it would be of little use. Also, ho remarked, that owing to the strike in Sydney he could not procure coal to run the Amra. In short the Count displayed astonishing knowledge of latest events. Maps found in his possession were mark.ed right up to -date. On investigation it was found that the erstwhile whaler was fitted with a 3.Sin gun, and carried a couple of thousand rounds of ammunition, besides provisions to last a full 12 months. Th» commander informed the capturers that there were four other parties of boats about, the group, but this is now believed to have been bluff. The raiders stated that 15 boats had been sunk by the Seeadler, and that the crews tverc safe on an island which they could not name. Peeling was so strong in the Islands that the residents called a meeting and petitioned that all German residents be interned within 43 hours J heir l'iK|UC.-t was complied with the next day. As regards the conduct and discipline of the prisoners Mr .Spen >er expressed a jiprovi' 1 of the general manner of all. The Count, he said, was a very gracefully mannered person, and his bearing towards his men was such as to command respect.