GERMAN CRIME RECALLED.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1900, 7 November 1918, Page 1

GERMAN CRIME RECALLED.

CAPTAIN FRYATT’S MURDER. NEW LIGHT ON THE TRAGEDY. Fresh light was thrown upon the capture, trial, and execution of' Captain Fryatt, of the steamship Brussels, on July 1271 h, IHI6, in a report received in England on the second anniversary of the execution from All- William Hartnell. The latter was first officer of the Brussels at the time of her capture. Writing from an internment camp in Holland, he said; — On June 22nd, at If p.m., the Brussels left Rotterdam with cargo and passengers for Tilbury, stopping at the Hook of Holland. All saloon and cabin lights were extinguished before passing the North Pier light. Directly after passing it, a very bright light was shown from the beach, about four miles north of the Hook, followed by a bright star, such as a rocket would throw. After a lapse of 10 minutes this was repeated. On both occasions Captain Fryatt and myself remarked upon it, as we had never seen similar lights on any previous occasions. Five miles west of the light vessel, a very small croft, probably a submarine not submerged, commenced morsing the letter “S" at intervals. After running for one hour and thirty minutes, an extra sharp look-out was kept for a steamer that was going in the same direction and without lights, the port and starboard lights of the Brussels being put on for the time being. CAPTURE OF THE BRUSSELS. At 12.45 a.m. craft without lights were seen at a point on the starboard bow, travelling at a great speed in the opposite direction. These proved to be German destroyers of the latest type, live in all. Two came alongside, on the starboard side, and one on the port side, the other two following close behind. During the time the destroyers were approaching their commanders were shouting orders to stop, asking (he name of the ship, and threatening to lire on us. No tiring occurred, however. As soon as Captain Fryatt was assured that the destroyers were German, he gave orders for all passengers to be ready to take to (he boats if necessary, and quietly instructed me to destroy all despatches and 'official papers. His instructions were carried out, and as the last bag was destroyed German seamen, armed with pistols and bombs, appeared on the starboard alleyway. I passed through (he saloon to the deck, and met more German seamen, who were driving all the crew they could find over the rail on to the destroyers. I was ordered over the rail, but refused to go, and then met the officer who came on board to take charge. He requested me to show him to (he bridge, which I did. He greeted Captain Fryatt, and congratulated himself over the great prize. The Brussels was met and escorted by several aeroplanes to Zeebrugge, where the destroyers were already moored. After a stay of about live hours she left and proceeded to Bruges under her own steam. For some reason Captain Fryatt was kept in his cabin. During the passage both sides of the canal were thronged in places, and both the soldiers and the marine Lands!rum were greatly excited. On reaching Bruges the crew were taken off and sent to a waiting shed. Only Captain Fryatt and myself, with many German officers, remained on board. After we had been questioned at lunch, Captain Fryatt and I were photographed, and we then joined the crew in the shed, lining afterwards taken to a building in the town. AH of us, including stewardesses and 25 Russians, were packed in, and there was scarcely standing room. PRISONERS PACKED IN CAT-TLE-TRUCKS. After some hours, following a request to the prison commandant, the stewardesses were allowed separate quarters in the top of the building. Otherwise they were treated in the same way as male prisoners nntil they were separated to go to a different camp. At 3 a,in. on June 25th, orders came for all to be ready for the train to Germany, the stewardesses joining us at the station. At 5 a.m. we all left, closely packed in cattle-trucks, and on arrival at Ghent we were escorted to very dirty and unhealthy quarters underground. At 5 a.m. on the following day we left Ghent for Germany, via Cologne, where the stewardesses and the Russians were separated to go to other camps. After being exhibited at Berlin, as at Hanover and other stations, the rest went to Ruhleben, where they arrived at 5 p.m., June 28th, Two days later Captain Fryatt and I received orders to the effect that we were to he prepared to leave the camp at 8

p.m. for Bruges on ship’s business. We arrived at Bruges at 7 a.in. on July 2nd, after visiting Ostend by mistake, on the part of the escort. We reported to the port commander at 9 a.m., and were taken from him to the town prison and put in cells. From then onwards we were treated as criminals. We were occasionally visited by German officials and questioned as to the submarine and other subjects, on which Captain Fryalt made a clear and open statement to the Germans, with nothing condemning to himself. From the time of being placed in the prison at Bruges to duly loth, I saw Captain Fryatt and spoke to him on several occasions, after which 1 never spoke to him until one hour before he was shot. On July 24th, Captain Fryalt and myself were questioned and cross-questi-oned in the prison, and so far as I could learn, Captain Fryalt never added to nor departed from his open statement. It was then that we were first informed of the tribunal that was to follow. On July 2(sth we were told to be ready for the tribunal, which was to take place at Bruges Town Hall on the 27th, at 11 a.m. On July 27th, at 9 a.m., the door of the cell was opened, and an escort was wailing. To my surprise four of the crew were in the Avail big cell. Each man was e.-corted to the Town Hall, Captain Fryatt and J being the last to go, and placed under a strong guard until the trial began. CONDEMNED BY COWARDLY TRIBUNAL. At 12 noon Captain Fryalt was ealled into Jtis place before (be socalled Bench, and repeated his previous statement. I followed, and answered questions that appeared to be ridiculous, not appearing cither to defend or condemn Captain Fryatt. At the same lime an officer in uniform appeared and, approaching Captain Fryalt and myself, informed ns in broken English that he was for the defence. The naval commander of the port conducted the trial, and also acted as interpreter. At 4 p.m. he informed ns that all Avas over so far, and that the decision rested Avith the naval officers, avlio had retired to another room, amt I lie verdict Avould he made known after avc hud returned to our cells. The officer for the defence then spoke again, and said he would do liis utmost to save Captain Fryatt. After being again placed in ihe cells, the chief Avardcr of the prison came to me at 5.3 ft p.m,, and told me 1 was to go and slop Avifli Captain Fryatt, as that avus Ids last night. I then met Captain Fryalt, avlio Avas very much distressed, not so much because of the A’ordiet, hut. of the unfair and cowardly manner in Avhieh everything Avas done. He told me himself that he Avas to he shot on the next morning, and after having a talk for about an hour — it avus then (i.3ft p.m. —the prison official took his Aval eh from his pocket and said that in a short time the escort Avould he there, and Captain Fryalt Avould be shot at 7 p.m. I Avished him “Good-bye,” and promised I Avould deliver his last messages, Avhieh Avere many, and returned to my coll. Punctually at 7 p.m. a very short distance from the prison Avails a hand commenced to play, and poor Fryalt was no more. Later the same evening an official came to my cell and described (o mo, in (he best aa ay tie could, how Fryatt died. He was shot by 1(5 rifles, the bullets of AA-hieh penetrated through the heart, carrying Avitli them the clothes lie was wearing through the body and out at the hack. I avus, and am still, proud of Captain Fryatt’s manly conduct right up to (he last. There avus not a German present at the trial Avho could face him.