VON LUCKNER'S CAPTOR

Waikato Independent, Volume XXXIV, Issue 3110, 30 January 1934, Page 4

VON LUCKNER'S CAPTOR

VISITOR TO CAMBRIDGE FORMER CAPTAIN OF "IRIS." To have captured Count Felix von Luckner, the.famous German commerce raider, during the war, is one of the outstanding incidents of the long sea career of Captain H. R, Hughes, of Devonport, who is at present on a visit to Cambridge. When von Luckuer made his spectacular bid for liberty from Motuihi where he was interned following his arrest at Suva in 1917, he got away in the commandant's motor launch, captured the scow "Moa" (still wellknown around the coast of New Zealand), and headed for the Kermadccs. Captain Hughes, who was then in command of the Government cable repair ship "Iris," was sent out in pursuit of the notorious "Sea Devil." Captured in the Kermadecs. Von Luckner and his men had just helped themselves to the provisions stored at Curtis Island for shipwrecked sailors, when his look-out reported smoke to the north, behind the island. The "Moa" made off at her best speed but the steamer, —it was the "Iris" — rapidly overhauled her. The ."Iris" carried guns. The Germans had a few small arms, but nothing bigger. There was nothing for von Luckner to do but to order his scow to heave to, and allow himself and his men once again to be taken prisoner. When the "Iris" with the "Moa" in tow, and the "Sea Devil" and his men on board, steamed up the harbour at Auckland (to quote von Luckner's own scornful description) "sight-seers in all sorts of boats came out to have a look at the victor of the Battle of the Kermadecs.''..

Von Luckncr quite naturally felt bitter, but Captain Hughes and his ship had performed a valuable service. The German officer's record was one that gave no peace of mind to British shipping on the high seas while he was at liberty. "Sea Devil's" Record. Leaving Germany on 21st December, 191(5, in his famous "Sccadlcr," von Luckncr ran the gauntlet of the British warships guarding the North Sea and the stormy waters between Iceland and the Orkneys. Once safe in the South Atlantic the "Sea Devil" lost no time in commencing his war against British and Allied shipping. Between January 20 and March 21, 1917, lie captured and sank nine ships, •mostly sailing vessels —French, English,. American and Italian. He put his 260 prisoners aboard the last of the nine, and while they made sail for Eio to tell the astounding story of his exploits, von Luckncr himself headed south for Cape Horn. But in the Pacific misfortune overtook him. Scurvy broke out among the crew of the "Seeadler" and von Luckncr made for the island of Mopelia <*n the Society Group. Here, however, the "Sccadler" parted her cables in a gale, and on 2nd August, 1917, she drove ashore and become a total wreck. With characteristic energy, three weeks after losing his ship, von Luckncr was once again afloat, but this time enly in an open boat. In this small craft he and his men sailed and rowed for more than 2000 miles across the Pacific to Suva, but his career as a searaider was at an end. He was arrested and brought to Auckland where he was interned at Motuihi, whence he subsequently escaped. Tribute to von Luckner. In the Official History of the War (Naval Operations) Sir Henry Newbolt says of von Luckncr: "His story claims our attention for the thoroughness and skill with which he prepared for his cruise, and our admiration for the scamanlike chivalry with which he conducted it." -This then was the man. that Captain Hughes captured and brought back to New Zealand, where he remained as a prisoner of war until after the armistice. Captain Hughes commanded the •'lris" for 28 years, relinquishing command in 1931. His ship is still a familar feature of the Auckland waterfront, being anchored off Dcvonport. For some years now she has been known as the '' Recorder.''