"THE DAY"

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 81, 31 December 1918, Page 6

"THE DAY"

SURRENDER OF GERMANY'S NAVAL MIGHT VIVID STORY OF HISTORIC SPECTACLE HUN FLAG HAULED DOWN Cablegrams published last month gavo a condensed account of one of the most momentous and dramatic events in history, tho surrender of the German High Seas Fleet lo the British Battle Fleet, under the command of Admiral Si.* David Beady. The English mail that reached Wellington yesterday brought London newspapers containing fuller descriptions of the great, surrender. Tho following account was written by Mr. 11. W. Wilson for the "Daily Mnil":-

(Aboard If.M.S. Roynl Sovereign.) Wednesday, November 20. There .was no excitement but-only a pleasurable anticipation of mmiorahle events when on Wednesday afternoon Admiral Beatty's orders were issued tha? the immense fleet under his command was to prepare for sea. The shins lay motionless' on the grey water in "the failing light of a winter afternoon; searchlights were busy flashing out their mysterious messages over the sea, across which the German force to be handed over for internment was already making its way towards us at 10 knots. Wireless instructions were sen. ■to it, and questions asked by the Ger-. man commander were answered. Many wondered what were (he feelings of its officers and men.

Just twenty years have pnssed sinco I the first German Navy Act of 1808 opened the era of naval rivalry with Great Britain and began that war, really, though not in name, upon herself. Now that rivalry was over for ever, or at least for generations. We were burying the Germnn Navy of the. past, escorting its corpse- to the last re.sting--plnce, entering upon a new age in which its wickedness would no longer trouble the world. All nro agreed that the historic Conference at which Admiral Beatty gave his last orders to Hie enemy was a painful ordeal. Detestable as the record of the Gorman Navy lias been in this war, stained for all time with the shame of the Lusifania murders and the thousand crimes of the U-boats, thero was something tragic in the tremendous fall of tho enemy, in the sorrowful bearing of some of the Germnn officers. , Behind them was a country in revolution. One of them remarked that he supposed ho would be selling newspapers in the streets; another discussed the quality, of the hotels do luxe in London, as if he contemplated an early visit. Returning tn the Konigsberg in tho British destroyer Oak, they played auction bridge as the best way of passing minutes of intenso constraint. That was surely one of tho strangest card parties in history, In the Grand Fleet there was a general doubt whether some officers or some ships might not, try a. last stroke and prefer to perish in smoke and fire rather than accent this end of ignoble submission. The German crews were known to have no stomach for fighting, but there will always bo desperate men tobe reckoned with, therefore very special precautions were taken. Tho Grand Fleet was to approach the Germans with cruisers and fast craft ahead. It was to be formed up in two immense lines three miles apart, and between them the Germans were to proceed to internment exactly as two policemuni one on either side, conduct a malofaetor to tho police station. The cruise Cardiff was charged with the duty of directing the German ships movements and was to steam at thenbead. If there was any at treachery, the gap separating the Gorman line from either of the lines of Allied ships was too great-three miles— to permit the use of the ram, and gave our ships a 'good chance of eluding a torpedo.

Ready for Treachery. Before the Germans were met, all crews in all ships were to be at "action stations" ready for battle, and were to remain at these stations till further orders were issued: Turrets' and guns were to be kept in the "securing positions, which meant that they were generally to be trained fore and aft, but tney were not to be locked in these positions. They were to be free, ready to move, with power on in the great hydraulic presses which rotate the guns, raise and lower them, and work the loading gear. The guns were to be unloaded, but at the breech of each was to be the cage with a projectile and cordite charge ready tor ramming home. . With the big turret guns shells and charge are hrought in cages up a great lift which runs down to the bowels of the ship and communicates with the magazine. Air directors (for regulating aim and fire) and, all armoured towers were to be trained on the Germans. On the sights of our guns the correct range and deflection (allowance for the time taken by the shell in reaching Hie target) were to be kept accurately ad-, justed. All the appliances employed for dealing with 'mines were to be used; in fact, the orders wero there for a fleet going out to battle. Overhead, watching the Germans, the aeroplane squadrons from local stations wero directed to fly. Thus provision was wade against surprise and treachery. I lie whole strength of the Grand Fleet was to lie employed-five battle squadrons (the Fourth, of King Edwards pre-Dread-noughts, was otherwise- employed), and here and there ships were absent from their squadrons docking and refitting. Tho fith Battle Squadron of five latticetowered American super-Dreadnoughts was there under Rear-Admiral Bediiian. There were two squadrons of battlecruisers and six of light cruisers, with eight, flotillas of destroyers, a gigantic force overwhelming in its superiority. Tho order in which the Germans wero to meet us was (they wore to be in a single lino with intervals of 600 yards hetiree>< each ship's bow and the next stern)'.-- ~., ,_ Fivo Baltle-cruisers.-Seydhtz (Commodore Tagerl), Hindenburg, Derfliugor, Moltkc, Von der Tann. Nino Battleships.- -Fricrdich der ftrosso (flag of Rear-Admiral von, Renter, in command of tho German force), Konjg Albert, Kaiser, Kronprinx AYilhelm. Knisorin, Bayern, Markgraf, Prims. Regent i Luitpold Grosser Kurfurst. j Seven Light Cruisers.—Karlsruho (ComI modore Harder), Frankfurt, Kmden, I Kurnberg, Drummer, Koln, Bremsc. I Fifty Destroyers fof (lie newest). | It will be seen that two Dreadnoughts ! which should have been handed oyer and ! one light cruiser \verc missing. This was ! by Admiral Beatty's permission, the facts being that one of the Dreadnoughts, the ' battleship Konig, was in dock and not in u state to make the voyage, and tho other, tho battle-cruiser Jlackcuson, was incomplete and unready to go to sea. ■Other ships of similar type will ho substituted for them and surrendered latrr. Meanwhile, they are being disarmed under tho supervision of Admiral Browning, who has been sent from the Grand Fleet to Germany by Admiral Beatty, The German ships were ordered to have their guns in the fore-and-aft position, in which they could wit lie trained upon our ships without attracting instant attention. They were to steam <lue west at a speed of 10 knots to the meeting place, which was off Hie Firth of Forth, 56 degrees, 11 minutes north latitude, and I degree- 20 minutes west longitude, and the leading ship was to be at the rendezvous ■at 8 a.m. to-day. After being escorted I to the Firth of Forth they were to anchor oil' Inclikoilh. Two cMiiniiialimis o! 1 them were to be carried out—the first by a small number of oliicois to make certain that their magazines were empty, as Admiral lleatly's ins!ruclions rei quired; the second, a eompMo .and careful search as a precaution against boobytraps and tricks ol' any kind, a. work necessarily demanding hours of iiltcntinn, as every department would have to be thoroughly inspect *. j The first vessels r,f tne Grand I'leet to ! put to sea were I lie destroyer flotillas. They had raised steam in the morning, and With the atternnon they passed out under the Forth Bridge, like so many packs of lean, swift hounds, an array of vessels capable of steaming 33 to 35 •■ knots, all ill battle order.

Then in all the ships the tramp of feet and the rattle of winches were heard as boats wero hoisted in and every object that could cause trouble was secured.

We arc to go out with the lirst battlecruiser squadron in the small hours of to-morrow morning, so there will not be much sleep on this last great, night of the war. Throughout the war it has been the custom of the Grand Fleet to leave port and return at night, becauso the risk of siilinniriiic attack is then practically eliminated. It is a' ticklish business faking some .100 ships to sea in such conditions without navigating lights, the white, red, and green lamps carried in peace, but it lias been done lime after time without misadventure. To-niglil, as most of the German submarines are located, and some are already uudor lock and key in our pens, we. shall carry the usual lights. SILENT AND DARK

THE LAST VOYAGE IX BATTLE TRIM. Thursday. November 21. • Somewhere al>out 3 am we weired anchor, and with our battle squad;on leading Hie line P"t to sen. It was a •loudv uislit, but line and without nnsl. Th" grrat black »" U * Mre ? t Z throiHi the water. We passed under the g" work of the Forth Bnte and our topmasts, which had been lowered, seemed to scrape it. All arrangeuten s were, made for the po bity of an attack by *«>« or destroyer. We went siler. ly hro U-h the many booms winch protect th" I'uth. H,S outermost, near May Island, seven H b?:Vth^ e r sn/s trols 1 the searchlight and guns for antisubmarine defence. ■ Hut out of the still, black water no pi.™ v " owed, as the two long lines o mi;shtd'Ameri,an warships yarned at 12 knots to the wndewoHs The oiH.t sound to be hoard was the ofFieoiof the watch giving the steering onle , loi " Resolution" (nnr next 1 7P" (cle«rees of the compass); Sten 1> . ■V; ''Don't give hex too much helm. Pointers waved gently wards on (ho -dimly -Med dml *hich decorate the miner bridge. Jh? hlun ia< Iw. dark withou a glim™ Jht and in front her forecastle looked from thi height fß7ft. above the water fe a flat-iron* and the Rosoluhon, iah-ad of us was- nothing more than a mm of the bugle calls now and nwnn. and tn- gentle" hum of the machinery. Dawn came of this d.i>. the : promise of perfect About 8 the German Fleet was .40 miles oft. The great question still remained to be answered Would they fight? An.adrilwdio doubted their £ ood be— remarked that you could be ceito of an enemy's surrender till he was (lis * wf'lurned ami steamed west, retracinJ our course to Mil the time and at 8.30 we went to "action station. All guns were manned and ready except the Utile groups on the bridge. No one was to be seen in our ships, bat in the , rethe battle stations there™ life waiting readv at a .vord to wake all this machinery of death and destruction which the warship carries. Overhead passed in quick succession, two 1 it si airships, one (lying low and [he other hurt.-followed by aeroplanes, to meet the Germans. , At 9.30 they were m sight. We Mere Hviii" the White Ensign, from every possilJeplnce in every si, p. a precaution taken before going in <> ba tie. , "Is-it peace, Jehu:"' All glasses on the bridges were tivmed on the Germans, f very faintly to be seen on the ho >- on Mist still hung despite a bright Tn We were present at one of the tremendous moments of history, such a moment as when Caesar crossed he Swn and changed the destinies of-the world. ' . -

A Solemn Procession, ft was peace. Slowly at a speed of 10 to 11 knots the Germans, camo on down he »reat lane of warships prepared to them, led by the British cruiser Omliff and'by one of our .ursh.ps as when a criminal surrenders himself but) ISS the' t.hC f Seydlit» Jttle crnisw. and a.fler her the our ot Gonnan battle,cruiser,, including i the "baby-killers." They looked in nLhaWUr tion They moved with cocUork )e u 1 ri v They carried the German Hag tor he list time, and the German comnioSre's brolSVdant He* at the mam ° aKrfetedly. they came on in tS A, silent e.cor.w.Uin salutes and no dipping °* , tlle lUg - - 1 " 0 ', nail tff earned with a curious copper a'cd K in the sun so that it might have See" the stain of %lood, though their general Colour was a' greenish grey, somewhat darker than ours. _ Behind the battle cruisers were the like the bate cruisers. J he iiiefliicn lo G ,s"e carried the iear-adm.ral s fhl a lack cross and two balls on a "Tw'clune this signal from Admiral Beat v a we nearcd the anchoroßp: 4hc Grand Wet met this morning at 9 o 0 5 ba e cruisers. 9 battleship, > brought to the Firth of Forth." be hauled down ,t sunset to-day and will iiot 'be hoisted a<min without permission. \ 1"30 name what may be said to bi« the last signal of. the naval war: . "Seßativo main action stations. Thus the German Fleot ended most mg,„»he struggle which OThriiu ? . ft.-nllW' villi's 1120. J-JlO 1' IOUOII fec^V^ilanUyto-tttt t in blockade compelled ts tame air•eider -Viul the British *avy was tho ~" ui'ncit of that and one of the chief "e . of victory, as it maintained tne blockade unflinchingly for more than I °'U (Tlnst it was- fitting that the Grind Fleet should escort into a British \o rt nut lwtlerccl wrecks, but the iouteon best ships which the enemy possessln perfect order and a host ot light cruiser, and destroyers, 'lhe iVivyhs d 0 c its work and destroyed to Ji tne length and reputation of the German b> L " Justice has been uphold, and so "The' Diiv" has come and gone. The 'return of the fleet with its prizes to the Firth was one of the most splendid spectacles which man can imagine, for miles lh, lines of British, shuts crossed the sea, moving with exquisite precision, with' paint and brasswork, or so much ot it as is tolerated in our moilern ISavy, sparkling in the sun, with the glorious \\'hilc Knsign Hying and the signalmen busy with their rainbow hoists ot signal There- was no exultation or desire to Irainpte on a fallen enemy, but a feel in it of heartfelt satisfaction that till! victory had bi-cn gained ••mi! the war won, Ihouih at the price of cruel l«--"s. ™- ™ mi Vel-on's (l.iv, the Hrilisli Navy has li-en at once die sword ami shield ot liw'Vi the Roval Sovereign anchored cast „r Inohkeitli'we saw Hie German vessel* which hail been «cnl. in ahead m us at. close (Hliirbrs. At _a distance they had resplendent in llm huh, hut now Hmv looked distinctly shabby and out at (.llx'iws. Ollicers a"d men 'food in crowd* on their decks watching us anxiously, and showed signs of great depmesinn. Tlie shin- of the First Battle ftniadron. and the Royal Sovereign among them, cheered Minimi Beatty ns they linked his fln"<)iin. the immense Queen Uli'/aIbctb, ami he stood I hero in'tho evening

sun waving his hand in this Inst ceremony of the Grand Fleet. At sunset' the Germnn flap; was hauled down and the admiral made a final signal:

It is my intention to hold a ser- ■ vice of thanksgiving at (5 p.m. 10-ilay | for the victory which Almighty God has vouchsafed to His Majesty's arms, and every ship is recommended to do the same. LAST OF TIIFpiRATES STORY OF THE U-BOAT SURRENDER From the flagship of the Harwich Force (Admiral Sir Reginald Y. 'i'yrwhitt) I saw the Lusitania avejigod at sunrise to-day (wrote Mr. Frederic W. Wile in the London. "Daily Mail" on November 22), when tho German submarine service, in (he form of an advance guard of twenty of its newest and highest-powered units, surrendered to the Royal Navy. The first act of Germany's supremo tragedy at sea was played beneath brilliantly 6unny skies. To-morrow (Thursday) anil Friday there will be further scenes in (his drama of crowning humiliation, when sixty more U-boats, in batches of twenty, will bo brought ihto Harwich Harbour under the Whilo Ensign—prisoners of the Mistress of the Seas whose dominion they so ferociously battled to overthrow. It appropriately fcil to (ho lot of tho Harwich Force, which lins been "scrapping" more or less incessantly with the Germans throughout tho southern reaches of tho North Sea since VJIJ, to accept the pirates' surrender. Admiral Tyrwhilt had ordered that the Kamcrad function should bo marked, as far as the Royal Navy was concerned, by the chivalry for which the British Navy is renowned. "All ships of (he Harwich Force," lie commanded, "are to maintain strict silence when passing or being passed by German submarines. There is to be no manifestation of any sort." Yet the procession of the U-boats into captivity was ignominy itself. A more (inglorious spectacle for the enemy can hardly be imagined. ]n divisions of five each, led by a British destroyer with other destroyers on either side, (he submarines presented the picture of beaten troops being led to a prisoners' cage. The Germans wero sighted through the early morning mist just before 7. At that hour all hands in Admiral Tyrwhitt's squadron wero ordered to action stations. German treachery was not expected, but nothing was left (o chance. The U-boats reached the appointed rendezvous, some 6!i or 70 miles north-east of Harwich— roughly, at a point off Orfordncss Light— with amazing punctuality. They were due at 7.30, and were on the spot at 7.25. From the bridge of the flagship I watched the Germans taking station in accordance with British instructions wirelessed in the night. In the, U-boat conning(divers a trio of officers was clustered, while the crews of 23 to 25 stood aft, hands in pockets, in attitudesof mingled idleness and resignation. No German flags were flown. In obedience to British demands the submarines arrived in "smv face trini," i.e., with all hatches open and upper works and deck high above the water-level. Accompanying the llboats, and preceding them as they came in, wero two German transports, sent to take tho submarine crews hack to their defeated Fatherland. The Germans were required to bring their murder-craft into British waters in the following condition: t. Electric batteries fully charged. 2. Full complement of torpedoes, without war-heads. i 3. No explosives of any sort. | 4. In running condition. 5. All periscopes in efficient condition. 0. All sea valves closed and watertight I doors in efficient condition. 7. Wireless in working order. 8. No infernal machines or booby-trails. I

Written Guarantee, The commanding otficer of each submarine, on handing over his ship, was called upon to sign a declaration that he had complied with all these demands. Although Tvrwhitt's order not to crow over the beaten, foe was religiously obeyed, there was an irrepressible flow of chuckling banter in the flagship. "Think we'll win now?" queried a bluejacket of a pal as the last division of U-bpats passed. The Germans at one stage of their funereal progress were not keeping station to suit Tynvhitt. So he flashed this peremp-

ii,v signal to their commander: "Bequest that station of one cable between submarines and three cables between divisions be kept." The order was obeyed with alacrity. By 10 o'clock the four divisions of submarines with their destroyer guards had reached the point, near the Cork Lightship, fixed for their surrender proper. Here they were taken in charge by Captain Percy Addison, who proceeded to place aboard them British prize crews of ten officers and men each. With the exception of three or four Germans ordered to remain below to attend the engines, the other U-boat officers and men were required to parade on the decks of their craft, and they now took up their places there, dejection incarnate, while tho U-boats resumed their course towards Harwich under tho White Ensign. ' No communication whatsoever was permitted with the British sailors now in command. Admiral Tyrwhill's order read: "Remember that we are still at war, so that friendly advances, such as nn offer to shake hands, are quite out of the question. There must be un absolute absence of any form of fraternisation." None, as far as I have been able to ascertain, was anywhere attempted. While the prize crews were "taking over," the German commanding officer of each submarine was tailed upon to conduct the British officer now in charge and supply all details of the vessel,' and afford every facility for the transfer. There is said to have been 6ome perfunctory saluting between British and German officers in two or three instances, but in nearly all cases the surrender was marked by stern civility on our part and suppressed surliness on the part of the enemy. .German officers were conspicuously' miJre depressed than their men. After the "taking over" was completed, about mid-day, the German officers and men were put info small 18-knot motoriamiehen and transferred to their own transports for the doleful voyage home. They were allowed to remove their luggaee', a nondescript collection of trappings, and paper bags and parcels of what looked like food.