CAPTURED BY THE MOEWE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2705, 26 February 1916, Page 5

CAPTURED BY THE MOEWE

THE GERMAN PRIZE AT TENERIFFE LAST OF THE WESTBURN By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, February '24. The British steamer Westburn, which was reported yesterday as having arrived at. Tcncriffo with a German prize crew on board, and the captured crews of six other steamers, has been blown up by ono of the crew. (Rec. February 25, 0.15 p.m.) Madrid, February 24. Tlie Moewo capturcd the Westburn, which was carrying a cargo of coal, six days before arriving off tho Brazilian port of Pernambuco. : The Westburn brought to Tenerift'e men belonging to the sailing ship Edinburgh, and others belonging to the Dromondy. Lieut. Badewitz, who commands the prize crew, wears the iron cross, and the Moewo's name appeared on the caps of some of tho crew. ■ Tlie Luxemburg is a Belgian steamer. It is believed that tho Cambridge was really- the - Corbridge. The authorities at Teneriffe allowed the Westburn 24 hours to quit, and accordingly, on tho expiry of the timelimit, tho vessel leit, while a British cruiser was watching her. Ultimately the Westburn was blown up, it is believed by her crew, who sought refuge on the shore of Teneriffe. Reports state that when the German crew was transferred to the AVestbuni, her naino was changed to Moewe, and tho other Moewe sunk, because she had been considerably damaged, rendering her further navigation difficult. A naval correspondent states that the victims of the raider number 13, with a tonnage of 53,000 in sunken ships, and cargo valued at £1,450,000. He adds: "This destruction represents a serious blow .si cur most vulnerable spot, and it would be absurd to deny tho unpleasantness of the situation." COOL AUDACITY DISARMS SUSPICION. (Rec. February 25, 11.50 p.m.) Madrid, February 25. The Westburn, when coming into Tenerift'e under the command of Lieut. Badewitz, passed several British and French warships without arousing suspicion. When she arrived at Santa Cruz a British cruiser, which was in tho harbour, immediately left, and lurked about for tlie purpose of- recapturing the vessel outsido Spanish waters. After disembarking, the Westburn's 206 prisoners, the German prize crow left the harbour and blew up the Westburn within Spanish territorial waters,, and then returned to Teneriffe in boat's. 1 ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) (Rcc. February 20, 5.5 p.m.) London, February 54. The announcement of further exploits by the German raider Moewe was not unexpected in shipping and insurance circles. Very high rates had been quoted for the Flemeuco and tho Luxembourg, which were seriously overdue. Tlie Westburn left Liverpool for Buenos Aires on January 31; the Flamenco, bound for Rio, and tho Horace, from Rio to Liverpool, sailed February 1; tho Cambridge (probably tlie Corbridge, 3687 tons, Cardiff) left Rangoon for Liverpool on September 22. The Luxembourg, from Newport to tlie River ■Plate, sailed on January 18. [Particulars of the above vessels were given in The Dominion of yesterday.]