STOWAWAY OVERBOARD

Taranaki Daily News, 17 June 1933, Page 9

STOWAWAY OVERBOARD

DESPERATE BID FOR LIBERTY SWAM ASHORE FROM MARIPOSA. ARRESTED ON REACHING WHARF. DIVE OF FORTY FEET FROM SHIP. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. A desperate bid for liberty was made to-night by a young German stowaway who was being taken from Auckland to Sydney by the liner Mariposa. He dived into the harbour from the vessel and succeeded in reaching the shore. The stowaway was Fritz Kreuzer, aged 21, who was in custody on the Mariposa with a . young Australian, Reginald Wright. Kreuzer’s companion evidently had the same opportunity to reach the shore, but elected to remain aboard the liner. Not long after reaching the safety of the wharves after his strenuous swim in the icy waters Kreuzer, who is fairheaded and slim, was identified by the police as one. of the stowaways who were brought from Suva by the Mariposa in the morning. Kreuzer, despite a rigid watch kept on him, escaped detection as the Mariposa was leaving the harbour for Sydney. He re-appeared before the authorities in a surprising manner. The liner left the wharf just after 5 p.m. and was going down the harbour past King’s wharf at 5.20 when, according to the young German’s statement, he managed to leave custody, in a manner that has not been explained. He then made his way forward to the forecastle head a few feet from the anchor. DIVE FROM FORTY FEET. Kreuzer plunged from the liner into the harbour, a height ■ of 40 feet. ,His dive carried him clear from the tow of the Mariposa. He struck but for the lights on the wharves. Hampered by his clothing and swimming in chilly water, Kreuzer had a hazardous, task head of him but succeeded, landing at the steps at the end of Kings wharf before six o’clock. The young man walked to where the steamer Omana was completing loading farther. along the wharf. . His clothes were dripping wet but Kreuzer. went ab°a r d and explained to the passengers and crew that he had been watching the Mariposa going out and that, dazzled by the lights on, the wharf, he .fell into the harbour., Those aboard.set about providing warmth for the young man and stimulants were given him. Meanwhile some person informed the Queen’s wharf police station that, a man had fallen into the harbour. . A constable took Kreuzer in a taxicab to Volcanic Street, Balmoral, where the young man said h<- had friends. SERGEANT’S SUSPICION. The constable returned with particulars of the young man to the station, where Sergeant Thompson ‘thought the description agreed with that of one of the young men deported from Suva. The sergeant and constable immediately returned to Volcanic Street, where their suspicions were confirmed. Kreuzer was immediately taken into custody and brought into the city. . The young man was little the worse for his experience. According to a story he told he was not. anxious to be returned to Germany, but preferred to stay in the British Empire. - ■ ■ ■ No intimation that Kreuzer had disappeared was received from the Mariposa, so a radiogram advising that the young German 1 had swum ashore and been arrested was sent'to the master of the liner. Kreuzer is to be charged in the Police Court. - The travels of Fritz Kreuzer l and Reginald Wright commenced at Sydney last April, when they secreted themselves on the Mariposa, They evaded detection on the voyage to Auckland, and on arrival at Auckland walked off the ship. SECOND ATTEMPT INSPIRED. The success inspired them to further adventure, for a month later, with the arrival of another of the Oceanic liners, the Monterey, they stowed away again. This'' time they were discovered the day before the ship reached Suva. On ar-’ rival at the island port they were handed over to' the authorities, and both were sentenced at Suva to one month’s imprisonment, with the proviso that they be placed on the first of the company’s vessels returning to Auckland. This happened to be the Mariposa, and once again they travelled on the liner, but not enjoying the freedom they had on the previous trip, for they were kept in close custody. Kreuzer is stated to have deserted from the German steamer Mosel in Australia three years ago, while Wright is believed to be an Australian.

They were to be taken to Sydney by the vessel. The company will endeavour to land Wright there. There may be complications, however.