How Adolf Woermann Was Caught

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 2, 3 January 1940, Page 6

How Adolf Woermann Was Caught

Tracked by British Steamer WIRELESS BRINGS WARSHIPS TO SCENE Por Press Association. AUCKLAND, Jan. 2. A remarkable story of a British cargo ship’s escort of the German passenger liner Adolf Woermann, of 8577 tons, in the South Atlantic in November was told on the arrival at Auckland of the British vessel. The Adolf Woermann, carrying a crew of 127 and 35 passengers, left Lobito Bay, Portuguese West Africa, early in November. She was recognised in spite of her disguise by the British ship, which wirelessed her position and followed hor for 24 hours until a British cruiser arrived. The Adolf Woermann was scuttled to avoid capture at 7 a.m. on November 21.

The British ship sighted a ship on the port bow bearing due north and coming toward her. Having received orders from the Admiralty to be on the lookout for a German merchantman, the master of the British ship became suspicious when he saw the stranger alter her course in a westerly direction. He decided to have a look at tho vessel, which appeared to be a passenger liner heavily loaded, flying the Portuguese flag and bearing the name of a wellknown Portuguese vessel, the Nyassa, of Lisbon, on her bows and amidships. The Portuguese flag was crudely painted on her hull but did not have a crest in tne centre.

To make sure, the British ship went close to the stranger and signalled to her: “Where are you bound?” The reply was: “Bound for Lisbon from Bahia, Brazil.” In the strong morning light, however, it was possible to see through the thin coat of grey on her bows and hull the name “Adolph Woermann” in faded yellow well below the name “Nyassa.” The British merchantman nevertheless signalled back: “I thank you very much. Proceed.” Tho British vessel then turned about and wirelessed a report to the Admiralty, receiving instructions to keep the German in sight until further orders were given. Tho exact position of the Portuguese steamer Nyassa was found by the Admiralty and served as confirmation of the German’s identity.

With the intention of holding the German until a fast British warship arrived on the scene, -the cargo vessel again wont about and came up to the Adolph Woermann, which protested in signals. In an attempt to get some member of the German ship’s company aboard, the British ship signalled for a doctor, explaining that it had a sick man aboard. The reply from the Adolph Woermann was that it was utterly impossible. Tho two ships proceeded north on tho same course. During tho night, when rain fell, the Adolph Waermuuu twice shifted her position from ahead and tried to ram tho British vessel amidships. The attacks were eluded and the German was kept under observation by searchlight. On the horizon at 9 a.m. the following day a warship was sighted by botii ships, which hove to. On the British ship the order was given to send all hands to action stations and to man the defensive armament. The Adolph Woermann also waited to see whether the oncoming warship was a friend or foe, having wirelessed for assistance when escorted by the British vessel. Fears that tho stranger might bo a pocket battleship known to bo iu thoso waters w r erc allayed when the vessel was identified as a British warship. Lifeboats were swung out from the Adolph Woermann, which made the signal: “My ship is sinking. Am going to abandon ship. Stand by me.”

It was then evident that the German ship had been scuttled. “I have never before witnessed such a tragic sight,” said a member of the ship’s complement. “The women and children took to tho lifeboats iu a calm manner. The, sea was very choppy ai . a strong north-west wind was blowing, so the small boats rocked and pitched. Some of the woman had small babies, but they stood the situation very well.” As the German ship settled the captain’s lifeboat came alongside the British cargo ship and the captain’s request that the passengers should be taken aboard was answered by: “The cruiser will decide. Will you please lay by in the meantime?” Under shellfire from the cruiser, the German ship rapidly became ablaze.