On the Sea

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 85, 14 April 1915, Page 5

On the Sea

NORTH m FIGHTING,

RUMORS FROM NORWAY. WINDOWS SMASHED BY CONCUSSION FROM GUN-FIRE. WRECKAGE DRIFTED ASHORE. United Peebh Association. (Received BJU a.in.) London, April 13. Rumours from Norway concerning the North Sea battle state that the thundering of the guns was heard. In several houses the windows were smashed by the concussion. Masses of wreckage drifted ashore. SEA-CAPTAIN’S REPORT.

London, April 13

The captain of the steamer Vestfor states that on Wednesday afternoon, when twelve miles west of Utsire, he passed a squadron of twelve ships flying the German colors at the gaff. He observed the smoke of two others. After remaining stationary for a time, they steamed rapidly north. The captain is of opinion that the squadron could have reached the region where the bring was subsequently heard. TARGET PRACTICE ONLY! London, April 13. The newspapers are of opinion that the rumors of a naval battle were due to target practice. STORY OF THE KRONPRINZ WILHELM. United Pkebu Association. New York, April 13. The officers of the Kronprinz Wilhelm state that the vessel was obliged to steal past four Allied cruisers off the Virginia Capes in order to reach port, and the commander declared that he would return by the same way. Since the Kronprinz sailed from New York in August as a passenger steamer, she had never touched land. During thefraids on British shipping she took 950 prisoners. Most of these were sent to South African ports by German vessels who met the raider. She has aboard G 1 prisoners taken from the British steamers Tamar and Coleby. This record of destruction was accomplished with four guns. Lieut. Warner, one of the raider’s officers, said that if Britain had been well organised the Kronprinz Wilhelm never could have remained alive. They took two of their guns from the steamer La Correutina, and secured twenty thousand tons of coal from enemy ships. Tailors made uniforms from cloth captured on the French steamer Gnadaloy, and they also got shoes and leather and thousands of dollars worth of goods intended for the French army. The vessel narrowly escaped capture twice by British warships at the Canaries and the Azores.

CASE OF THE WILLIAM FRYE. 'Amsterdam, April 13. An official message states that the American Note demanded £228,095 for the William Frye. The owners inquired whether Germany would give full compensation. Germany replied that the Prinz Eitel’s commander had acted within the limits of international law, as Queenstown, Falmouth, and Plymouth, wherefor the ship cleared, were fortified places and points d’appui for the British navy; also that it was dangerous to fetch the prize to a German port. A Prize Court is opening immediately, and the owners of the ship and cargo will have an opportunity of proving that the wheat was for a peaceful destination. The Note adds that under the Prussia-American treaties the owners of the ship and cargo will receive compensation, even if the Court declares that the wheat cargo was contraband.

VICTIMS OF THE SUBMARINE. London, April 13. The Wayfarer survivors state that they saw no sign of a submarine until suddenly an explosion smashed the wireless, making it impossible to call help. The vessel took a list. The boats were lowered in a rough sea. Later they were rescued by ; a collier. The vessel at midnight was thirteen miles from Queenstown. The crew of the FI boarded the President and placed a bomb aboard. The vessel was still afloat when they left her. The submarine towed the crew to a fishing smack near by. A German submarine stopped the French steamer Fredric Franc. The commander demanded money, which was refused, lie tore up the French flag and threw the ship’s papers into the sea. The Germans then exploded two bombs before the crew were able to leave. The vessel, however, did not sink, and was towed to Plymouth. (Received 11.30 a.m.) London, April 13. The wayfarer has arrived at Queenstown. GERMAN RAIDERS’ WORK. London, April 13. German raiding cruisers have sunk sixty-seven vessels, with cargoes valued at £0,691,000. British trade for the same period was £736,000,000. The • Emden’s share was £2.211,000, the Karlsruhe’s £1,662,000, the Kronprinz Wilhelm’s £1,165,000, and the F.itel Friederich’s £885,000.