NAZI “HELL SHIP”

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 140, 14 May 1940, Page 8

NAZI “HELL SHIP”

NEW ZEALANDERS ABOARD. EXPERIENCES RECOUNTED. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND. May 13. . “It was a ‘hell ship’ ruled by a vicious bully; the three months on the Altmark seemed like three years,” was the opinion expressed to-day by three New Zealanders Who were among the 326 merchant seamen rescued by the British destroyer Cossack iroin the German prison ship. The three men are Mr J. Lynch, of Onehunga, a member of the staff ot the Auckland Star, Mr W. Wheeler, of Frederick Street, Dunedin, and Mr Ray Craig, of Herne Bay, Auckland. They told a colourful story on their return to-day. They left Auckland on the Doric Star in October, Mr Lynch being a gunner and the others seamen-gunners. They called at Sydney and Capetown, and on December 2 sighted the Graf Spee. The battleship fired two shots. A launch came alongside and ordered the ship’s company to get their plates, blankets, and cutlery before being taken aboard the Graf Spec and later transferred to a “neutral” tanker. While they were having baths and passing the doctor on the Graf Spee the battleship sank the Doric Star by dynamite, gunfire, and a torpedo. “There was no sign of anger on the faces of the German crew when they saw us,” said one. “We found no ilifceling. The oldest of the crew didn’t seem to be more than 22.” ORDEAL BELOW DECKS.

Next morning the prisoners—49 in number —were awakened by gunfire and later ten members of the Tairoa’s crew were added to their number. The prisoners were allowed privileges aboard the battleship until December 6, when they made contact with the Altmark and were transferred to that vessel. They were greeted by' a German officer and an armed guard. They were split up and put down into the magazine chambers. Thus the long imprisonment with hardship began. “We were tour decks down and 35ft below the waterline,” said one. “The chief complaints were the issue of putrid rye bread and only two small cakes of soap to each man over the three months, while a pint and a-lialf of water issued for washing purposes had to be poured back into the drum and used again. The shortage ot tobacco was keenly felt. The prisoners had no knowledge whether the ship called at any ports because she was always stopping and starting. “We couldn’t believe the good news wheu we heard the raiding party from the Cossack,” said one of the men. “All had a wonderful time in England.” Mr Wheeler twice broadcast from the 8.8. C. and appeared at several theatres in connection w r ith the appeal for woollen clothing for the Army and Navy.