How Columbus Was Scuttled

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 302, 22 December 1939, Page 7

How Columbus Was Scuttled

Union Jack Causes “Scuttle” Order HAD TO OBEY ORDERS United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. Received Thursday, 9.30 p.m. NEW YORK, Doc. 21. Captain Wilhelm Daehne revealed that the Columbus left Vera Cruz “escorted by American destroyers. There were always one or two American cruisers with us in the beginning. They were friendly, snignalling ‘ God speed, a safe return home and a merry Christmas’ as they left.” He revealed that tho Tuscaloosa began escorting him on tho 18th. “At 2.30 p.m. on the 19th a destroyer appeared nearing us very quickly. At 2.53 p.m. I could make out the British flag and a rainuto later I gave the general alarm to scuttle and burn the ship. 1 had drilled the crew for a month for this and they knew what to do. “At 2.57 the destroyer signalled ‘Stop immediately. We are sending a boat.* At 3.5 p.m. she fired two shots across our bow and I ordered the lifeboats to bo lowered.” Captain Daehne added that theie were nine women aboard, stewardesses who had insisted on accompanying tho Columbus. “The two missing firemen were happy-go-lucky follows. Evidently they delayed too long in leaving and perished with tho ship.” Asked why he left the safety of a neutral port, Captain Daehne shrugged and replied: “If you get an order you fill that order.”