BREAKING THE BLOCKADE

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 20, 6 April 1938, Page 1

BREAKING THE BLOCKADE

MINUTE PREPARATIONS COUNT F. VON LUCKNER ’ \ ' ' SAILING-VESSEL: RAIDER • Tlie story of the minute preparations necessary for the task of successfully ,breaking the British blockade in his sailing vessel to take him and his crew into the Atlantic and thence to the Pacific Ocean to prey on the mercantile marine was told on Tuesday night at Gisborne by Count von Buckner. The audience Avas heldunder the spell of the count’s story, which was given colour, in turn, by his admirable stage presence.

Explainng his present trip. Count von Luekner said he felt a, deep respect for the people of New Zealand and lie considered that the best wedding present he could give his wife would he a trip round the Dominion. He had come 16,000 miles and when lie saw Alotuihi Island and Mount Eden, the places of his imprisonment, lie felt like “a‘ returning prodigal son.”

His choice of a sailing vessel in which to carry, out his programme of raiding during the war years was explained by his love of sailing ships. He ran away to sea at the age of 13 years to join a sailing ship because ho had difficulty in passing his examinations at school.

The part the raiders played in the war was outlined. Count von Luck ner said that at one stage there were 58 ships concentrating on his capture alone; one of their purposes was to attract the attention of the enemy ships and weaken tlieir force at other points. Other duties were to harass convoy systems. ..and freight ships, especially destroying vessels carrying the nitrate necessary for the making of explosives for the Allied countries. 'Sailing Vessel Built in 1872. The* visitor dealt with the trouble lie had had in convincing his admiral that he would be able' to run the blockade in a sailing vessel, but at last lie was given his chance. He chose a Glasgow-built clipper, one of the last- tea clippers that had been built ip 1872. During his negotiations in the Norwegian' port in which the transaction took place lie feared the British Secret Service. The vessel was taken to Bremen for alterations and the installation of a 1000 h.p. motor and the necessary accommodation. To satisfy tlie inquisitive, lie said that it was required as a training shin. “The British have not the right to blockade 'the free sea, but they have the power to do so, and so 1 have the right to sneak through,” lie claimed was- his argument at the time he was making his preparations. Count von Luekner said he realised that if lie was stopped by a ship in the blockade he would he subject to minute scrutiny, and after speaking with a neutral captain, a Norwegian, who had been under examination twice before, lie was aware that his preparations must be Complete, 'l he British, did not trouble much with the captain ,but they questioned tlie crew and asked about wives, children and other relatives, the names of places in their home towns, and then cheeked up on the sailors’ most treasured, possessions—diis letters irom home. They would check up then by communicating with the vessel’s last port, of call to verify that point. -In regard to the “last port of call” he decided to call his ship the Alaletta. There was another of the same name Hying the Norwegian flag that would he leaving port at nearly tlie same time. The ships were alike and he made further necessary alterations. The crew and their friends had to he of the- same names and for the time being he was Captain Johnny Knudseii. Everything was correct to the last detail. Of liis 64 men 24 had to be able to speak the Norwegian tongue, they being quartered in the fo’csle and the others' below. “A Gift from Heaven” The war material, engine, additional men, and extra, accommodation had tb be hidden from prying eyes, and so

the hatches were covered with timber as deck cargo. The timber was piled 12ft. high and held down securely 1 with chains,.. \'■ v , - They set off 'on-* t'f-jpenxber 21, the barometer falling, rain, and two days later there was a hurricane from the south-west, “a ' gift from heaven.” Tile vessel passed through two blockades of. ships without sighting another ship and then as’ they approached the third blockade the raid-ers-to-be were favoured with a snowstorm. The. North Sea- was boiling and all the blockade ships were sheltering. They were safely through. At the moment of their high spirits word came through from the German Admiralty in. code, warning them not to; sail under, the name of ALaletta. The preparations had taken three . months and it seemed impossible to chalige everything in five minutes. The name of Alma, was chosein and m changing the-name the.-ship’s papers became smudged'. The storm was still raging and he made it appear that the storm had wrought havoc in his cabin and made the papers indecipherable.

On December 25 when the vessel was south of Iceland a cry went up that a cruiser was in sight. The count’s hopes were dashed to the ground. Orders were given to sink tlie ship if they were found out. Filial preparations were • made for • the reception of the examining officers of the 18,COO-ton cruiser, H.M.S. Adventure. She came up and ail guns were trained on tlie Alma. The boarding party came over and the deception >vas not discovered. The Adventure also had been through the storm and credence was given"• to the tale concerning the spoiling of the ship’s papers and the havoc wrought in the skipper’s cabin. The papers were “O.K.’ed” to absolve tlie captain from further trouble. Possible Disastrous End. Before leaving, the British officer said that the vessel would have to wait an hour and a half before being permitted to sail. One of the sailors was pessimistic and said: “We are lost.” One of tliosei below heard and warned the others. The fuses were set and before the count could get word below tlie flood valves were opened. The venture might have ended disastrously, but the fuses wore cut not a minute too soon. Count von Luckner paid a tribute ” to his mother, who had given him the inspiration to save life in his occupation as a raider. He. had taken the captured persons aboard his ship as his guests and citizens of tho sea.