CAPTURE OF RAIDER.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 16093, 30 March 1918, Page 8

CAPTURE OF RAIDER.

STEWARDESS OF MATUNGA

INCIDENTS OF THE VOYAGE?.

LONDON, March 12. Describing her; adventures after beino made a prisoner by the German raider Wolf. Mrs. Mackenzie, stewardess of the Matunga, saidWo were accommodated comfortably until other crews TVo.ro taken u\ on the Wolf. The Germans took the cabin fittings from the Matunga and fitted up berths for three military captains, Colonel.Strangman. Major'and Mrs. Flood, and myself, on the promenade deck. There was some resentment over tho Matunga s captain, with the officers of other ships, being placed among Sailors and soldiers on the after-deck.. The food was generally fairly good, well cooked, and served, lint" it was. monotonous with 'over-much tinned ‘stuff. Tho German orderlies were just civil. An exciting adventure' occurred at Christmas Island. Some of tho Matunga’s seamen, while engaged on' a fishing excursion, made a dash for liberty. As a punishment the remainder wore only allowed on dock an hour a dav. This was a. terrible hardship in tropical weather. The nights seemed 1 interminable. The ship had no lighth and little liberty was allov.-ed. There was an old piano, but only occupants of tlie promenade Jock were allowed to use it during specified hours. The capture of the Hitachi Mam 340 miles from Colombo, on September 26, delighted the Germans. The seaplane had' boon making daily excursions anti relumed announcing the locality of the Hitachi Maru, whereupon .the Wolf immediately increased her speed and overhauled her. The W r olf never sent out wireless messages, even to the Matunga or other following ships, but an operator was working night and day imping to pick up messages. In this way they learned that the Hitachi Maru was near by and sent out the seaplane in confirm their belief. The seaplane noticed the Hitachi Mam’s crew preparing their gun and dropped-.a bomb, whereupon the Wolf fired several shots. There were sixteen casualties. The Hitachi Mam was regarded as a great prize, with her cargo of silk, copper. mhlmr and food. It was decided they must get her to Germany. Our captors transferred us to the Hitachi Maru. It was slated we were now hound for a neutral port where we would he landed.» The Wolf went oft and left ns. but in a week returned, and on November 7 it was resolved (o sink the Hitachi Mam. We then rcboardod the Wolf. We met tho Igote Mciidi laden with coal on the 10th, and went in close to the Nazareth Bank, where tho Igotz Mpndi transferred her coal to tho Wolf’s bunkers; The Wolf was absent some days. She returned after sinking some American and French ships. Tho Wolf merely took the provisions.

We were now making towards tho Trinidad Islands, when tho Wolf picked np a wireless message, slating that a Chilian warship had arrived there, and we went olf in an opposite direction. The Wolf now needed more, coal, Iml the seas matin its transference from the Igotz Mendi more diflicult. They attempted to fill the bunkers, but both vessels were badly damaged. The Igotz Mendi shook like a leaf. I thought her last hour had come, but the Wolf finally abandoned the attempt which was carried out successfully later. There was great enthusiasm among the crew when it was announced tho next move would be for Germany. Then a four-masted Norwegian.- in ballast, came in view. The Wolf at first appeared willing to let her go on. She changed her mind, overlook and sank her, after taking in the crew. There was not (he slightest reason why she should sink the ship, unless it was feared that the crew would give information that it was suspicions two vessels in mid-Atlantic should ho travelling together like the Wolf and Igotz Mendi. The Igotz Meudi twice attempted tho Iceland route, but die ioo blocked the way. There was one frightfully stormy day on January 27. It was the German Emperors birthday, but, there were no signs of special celebrations, except a faint cheer from the cabin, where tho captain drank the Emperor’s health.

The storm raged all clay, and the ship groaned dreadfully. It was uncomfortable in all parts of the ship, which was overcrowded owing to recent captures. I do not know how the Igotz Mehdi weathered tho storm, for, she was a dreadful roller. 1 fell id three weeks before she .stranded, and cannot tel] what happened, hut I understand wo slipped down thc-coast of Norway without meeting a British warship, and ultimately grounded. No passengers over welcomed the stranding of a vessel as wo did.

Mrs. Mackenzie states that she has fully recovered from her illness. She arrived in London via Aberdeen.