H.M.A.S. ENCOUNTER AT TONGA

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2452, 4 May 1915, Page 9

H.M.A.S. ENCOUNTER AT TONGA

— 4 GERMAN SCHOONER TAKEN AS PRIZE. Nukualofa, April 2d. Jho wftTffliip Kucountor. in. command of Captain C. L. Loivin, nay made two visits to Tonga within four weeks. On tho occasion of iho first visit speculation wa« rifo amongst tho rosidonts of tho capital, Nukualofa, as to tho intontion of tho visit. I'ho rumour waß that a Gorman-owned schooner was to bo taken and blown up. iJowover, after a atay of somo days in port, tho warship quiotly stole away ono Sunday morning —leaving tho position "as you were." On ihursday last tho warship again cntorcd tho port, and again rosidonts woro puzzled as to tho moaning of it all. But interest eocmod to bo centred on tho cxpoctod arrival of tho • schoonor Elfreda, owned by tho D.H. and P.G., a German firm with business interests throughout the Tonga group. This vossol until a few months ago carried tho Gorman flag at tho masthead. In accordance with a rocont enactment regarding navigation in the group, the Elfreda was registered in Tonga, and the Tongan flag replaced tho Ciorman flag at tho masthead, and tho vessel haß boon ongaged in trading operations over since.

With the arrival of the Elf rod a from TEaapai yesterday alj doubts were put at rest as to the positiou regarding the vessel. Not long after arrival the Elfreda was boarded by officers from the warship. Ail inspection of the sliip'B papors was made, and shortly after the British flag streamed from the masthead,' whilst a,few feet below was flying tile German flag, thus indicating that tho Elfroda had become a prize of war. A prize crew, in command of Lieutenant Wilkinson, was placed in charge of the sohooner, and it is understood that the vessel_ will be taken to Suva to be dealt with in the Prize Court. Needless to say, there is much satisfaction expressed here amongst- tho British community upon this action of Captain Lewin and the local authorities, as it has been felt that the vessel was wrongly trading, as the headquarters of the D.H. and P.G. firm are at Hamburg, the vessel being to all intents an enemy vessel. The Elfreda is about a. 50-ton vessel, having auxiliary motor power, and has been trading in these islands for a number of years. Her skipper, Captain Andersen, is a Dane, and both he and his handy little vessel have been popular throughout the group. Later. The Elfreda, in command of Lieutenant Wilkinson, .and besides the prize crew the native crow of the vessel, leaves for Suva this afternoon. Captain Anderson is also going as navigating offioar.