PRISONERS FREED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20122, 16 December 1939, Page 5

PRISONERS FREED

PLEDGE FORCED REMAINING ASHORE GRAF SPEE CONDITION BATTLE EXPERIENCE LOCKED IN CELLS (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.' (Reed. Dec. 16, 11 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 14. A report from Montevideo says that the British Consulate-General announced that victims of the Graf von Spee were the Clement, Newton Beach, Ashlea, Huntsman, Trevanion, Africa Shell. Doric Star, Tairoa and the Strconshalh. The Africa 'Shell was sunk of! East Africa, the Strconshalh in the South Atlantic, and the remainder off the coast of South America. Before they were freed the prisoners aboard the Graf von Spee, who came from nine merchant ships, were forced to sign a pledge to remain ashore for the rest of the war on the penalty of death if they were recaptured. Lean and unshaven, they carried shapeless bags holding their scanty belongings. Some were clinging to lifebelts salvaged from their old ships. Their ages ranged from 72 to boys apparently under 15 years. All showed the effects of the terrible day in close confinement in the bowels of the Graf von Spee while British shells pounded the ship, but they cheered and laughed as the shells landed on the Graf von Spee. Surrender of Prisoners Her commander and the German naval attache, both in full dress, surrendered the men to Uruguayan officials in the .Nahal prefecture. They were later turned over to the British Legation. The masters were identified as Captains Brown, of the Huntsman, Pottinger, of the Ashley, Edwards, of the Trevanion, Stubbs, of the Doric Star, and Dove, of the Africa Shell. Besides the six ship’s masters there are nine chief engineers, 25 officers and 21 men released. The British Minister in Montevideo has been instructed to convey the thanks of the British Government to the Government ’of Uruguay for the prompt action in securing the release of the prisoners. Only the captain and four other officers of the Doric Star were aboard the Graf von Spee. The members of the crew were placed aboard other enemy ships and are still missing. At the British Consulate the prisoners described how they counted the hits by the British guns and cheered for the attaekmg cruisers, although they renUsed rhey were doomed if the Graf van Spec sank, because the doors of their steel cells were barred when the action began Left Before Start of War

The prisoners disclosed that the Graf von Spee left Germany befj-e ’.he outbreak of war and, niter sinking the Clement off Brazil on October 2, ranged over the South Atlantic from South America to Africa. She confiscated the provisions before sinking merchant ships and either took the crews prisoner or set them adrift in lifeboats. The prisoners said they were well treated, but some commented that while the Germans were good sailors and friendly, they appeared to oe more willing to seize merchant ship; than to risk a fight, with British or. French warships. The prisoners were frequently allowed on deck. Sixty-two were kept in a single room without distinction between officers and men, bi t there was no particular discomfort and the food was adequate. The worst experience in yesterday’s battle occurred when a shell struck the prison, but there were no casualties. A quiet-mannered officer of the Doric Star gave one of the best accounts. Awakened by Guns “We were awakened at G a.m. by cannonading and we knew it was serious whejj the guards locked and barred our doors and went to battle stations,” he said. “We realised that a British victory might mean our deaths. Nevertheless, as the battle progressed there was singing and cheering for the attackers. We counted 17 hits by British shells. “You may not believe it, tout several, who were shaving when the firing began, quietly went on and finished the job. I was gargling medicine when we had a British visitor —a piece of shell lore -its way into our quarters. I swallowed all the medicine.” He added: “Our confinement area aboard the Graf von Spee was directly under the 11 in. gun turret. Every time a shot was fired it seemed that the whole roof collapsed. The grandest news I ever heard was when an officer came down and said: "Gentlemen, the war is over for you. We have just entered Montevideo harbour.”

The narrator added that most of the Germans were young. Fight Deemed Unlikely

“I do not think they ever considered the possibility of having to fight another warship, but they seemed to think their only job was the sinking of freighters,” he said. “That is probably one reason why the light cruisers were able to force the Graf von Spee to yield.”

'Captain' Patrick Dove, of the Africa Shell, said the Graf von Spee’s commander called him to the bridge before tile prisoners were released and told him the cruisers had made a gallant fight.

“When people fight like that, personal amity is lost,’’ said the German commander.

The first officer observed: “Those British are hard.” Another officer remarked: "You fellows have been our .prisoners a long time. It now looks like our turn.”

Captain Dove said that the Africa 'Shell was sunk within Portuguese waters.

Included in the list of ships cited as sunk by the German raider, Graf von Spec, is the steamer Tairoa. A steamer of this name is included in the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company’s leet and inquiries at Gisborne indicate hint this vessel would be Homeward bound from Australia. She carried no New Zealand cargo on this voyage. Her last visit to New Zealand was in April of this year. She last loaded at Gisborne in July of 1936.

The Tairoa was built in 1920 at Newcastle-on-Tyne and had a gross tonnage of 7983. She measured 478 ft. in length.