FAIRY TALES OF THE MOEWE.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 128, 31 May 1916, Page 3

FAIRY TALES OF THE MOEWE.

COUNT DOHNA'S HUMOUROUS STORY OF HIS EXPLOITS.

Count Dohna, the commander of the Moewe, interviewed by the Lokalsaid the first capture which was made was off Madeira, when the Appam was sighted. After long deliberation, in view of the fact, that the steamer possessed a radio-telegraph station and also had passengers on board, Count Dohna signalled to her "Stop immediately." The captain did not obey the order, so a warning shot was fired, after which the steamer stopped. "When we crossed to the Appam, says Count Dohna, "we noticed sailers of the British Navy, who were abcut to direct a cannon against us. They were driven back by rifle fire. At first panic reigned on board, which only ceased when the prize crew arrived and quieted the people. Besides four officers there were 30 marines cf the British Navy. The cases cf gold which we found in the safe we carried to Germany. "The day after the capture of the Ap'pam the Clan McTavish was sighted at 4.30 a.m. and this steamer being rapid the Mcewe could only approach her after a long chase. I Mcrsed, 'What ship?' and the MacTavish somewhat mistrustrhgly replied, 'Who pre you?' and I answered, 'A German cruiser. Stop immediately.' The MacTavish replied, T have stepped,' but continued to steam at full speed. At the same time the Moewe had reascn to believe the MacTavish was using her wireless. After the first warning shot we sent a grenade, which exploded on the bridge. A combat ensued until, after having been hit several times, the MacTavish Mcrsed 'We stop.' "A month later, during the night, another ship was sighted, but we q:ukl not ascertain her nationality with certainty. When the captain was asked by me, 'What ship,' he replied, giving a name which could not be .feu? - !3 in any ships book. I asked again, whereupon he gave another home and told me that in the confusion of the moment he had actually forgotten the name he first gave."

Count Dohna humorously added: "Well, it was a matter of indifference to us under what name the ship was "••link, but it was pitiful that he had to sink a ship with a thousand bottles •-■i' Pcmmery on board, since we had no mere stuff." —«Wireless Press.