Poem ~ RMS Alacantra Versus SMS Greif - Tuesday, 29 February 1916

Impression sketch of RMS Alcantara engaging the German raider Grief, 29 February 1916 - by Jamie. From an original image that can be seen at: <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Alcantara_1916.jpg> [Accessed: 29 February 2016]

i

In construction for the Royal Mail

Steam Packet Company, Alcantara

Began her voyages by 1913 - one

Of the final 'A' series of ships

Powered by three propellers.

An Ocean Liner for peaceful voyages,

To sail from Southampton down

To Buenos Aires over the waters,

Was a German commissioned steel 

Hulled cargo steamship, Guben.

Built for the German Australian Line -

Matters changed when Guben

Became SMS Greif - converted

For navel service; given torpedoes,

Four 15 cm and 10.5 rapid guns.

Not so far behind, RMS Alcantara

Was requisitioned as an armed

Merchant cruiser - provided depth

Charges, anti aircraft gunnery,

With six 6-in guns - RMS was ready.

As part of the northern sea patrol,

Alcantara's mission was to halt

Any German access about North

Atlantic - activity about Russia's

Archangelsk sent her to investigate.

With belief of a German submarine

Base situated in the Arctic Ocean,

Alcantara arrived at volcanic isle

Of Jan Mayen - a party found only

Remains of a North Pole expedition.

An abandoned base of 1882, where

Arctic fox cubs roamed, to be kept

Briefly as Alcantara pets - by 1916

The cruiser left for their squadrons

10th patrol to return on 1st March.

The fully kitted SMS Greif begun

Her tour to sail 27 February, under

Guise of flying a Norwegian flag -

Sailing with concealed armaments,

Her role to be a commercial raider.

ii

The assigned route of Greif was to sail

Into the Atlantic from Iceland’s north,

To aim for German East Africa - should

Need arise - calmly steaming a course,

Greif maintained appearance of Rena.

On one day that exists only every four

Years, Alcantara set to meet Andes -

Sailing close to Shetland to be notified

To halt - should a suspicious ship make

An appearance. A look out made a check.

At a distance the Andes had seen smoke

Of a two funneled boat, whose identity

Was in doubt - the Alcantara look out

Felt the boat authentic - yet to make check,

A cutter lowered, as the boat received a note.

The Andes had signaled Captain Wardle,

Who advised this was the suspicious boat.

Then the Rena revealed self as Greif -

Revealing their full gunnery, they fired down

On boarding cutter, then at the boat's bridge.

Alcantara's steering gear was hit - Captain

Waddle ordered return fire - with emergency

Gear in place, the exchange of close

Quarters continued, as the Greif turned

Starboard to aim for the Alcantara's waterline.

From only 2000 to 750 yard enemy shells cut

Into the engine room - Greif attempted

Torpedoes, yet evasive moves supposedly

Avoided these, when a hit struck at her

Portside - Alcantara's 6-inch gun fired back.

Ammunitions of Greif's aft gun was struck,

Put out of action by 10.15 a.m. - the ships

Bridge was on fire to halt at 10.22 a.m. -

Boats began to leave, as Alcantara ceased

Fire - Still the encounter was not quite over.

At 3 knots without any working steering

Gear, Alcantara at 10.35 a.m. became

Jammed turning starboard  - a flooded

Engine room did not receive message to

Halt - all then seemed lost for Alcantara.

Within 30 minutes tilting on her beam end,

The abandoned Alfantara went down -

The Andes and Munster had then arrived.

Greif was still afloat, when a final shot

Discharged by a raging fire made final show.

With assistance of Comus and the Andes,

The Greif went down in a final explosion -

To lose 230 crew  - as rescue manoeuvres 

In reaching lifeboats was delayed, by idea

Of a submarine - but rescues went ahead.

by Jamie Mann.

Source: File: Action of 29 February 1916. Wikipedia. Online. Available at: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Action_of_29_February_1916> Accessed 29 February 2016

Source: File: RMS Alcantara (1913). Wikipedia. Online. Available at: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RMS_Alcantara_%281913%29> Accessed 29 February 2016

Source: File: SMS Greif (1914). Wikipedia. Online. Available at: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RMS_Alcantara_%281913%29> Accessed 29 February 2016

http://worldwaroneblogger.blogspot.co.uk/

#WW1 #WW1centenary #GreatWar #WW1poem #GreatWar #WW1centenary #worldwarone #worldwaroneremembered #WW1Navy

Poem ~ German Break Out At Knockaloe - Saturday, 29 January 1916

 Impression sketch of Knockaloe prison camp railway - by Jamie.  See an original image at: <http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/world-history/history-of-the-first-world-war-in-100-moments/a-history-of-the-first-world-war-in-100-moments-britain-s-enemy-aliens-get-their-own-railway-9334403.html> Accessed: 29 January 2016].

Possibly surprising locations

For alien detainees, included

Islands about Britain - one was

The equidistant Isle of Man -

The landmass of 221 square

Miles, sitting in the Irish Sea.

To play its part, the chosen

Isle held two prison camps -

In Douglas a one time holiday

Site, held detainees - while close

To the town of Peel, Knockaloe

Was built on agricultural lands.

Constructed across a wide area,

Knockaloe was to be made

Of four compounds, to become

Like a small town - to include

Railway link - all made to house

1000's in prefabricated huts.

The camp was close to the sea,

With Peel being a fishing port -

Four detainees of Germany
Successfully existed their way

12 January 1916 from Knockaloe;

Two days later to be at Peel port.

The sailors of the German navy;

Robert Clauss, Richard Karlsen

Alexander Hoffman - the fourth

Georges Sudman, had ingenuity

To steal the yacht Genesta, from

The quay - but they were seen.

Shouts rang out at the daylight 

Theft of a local man's boat -

Close by was Constable Clague

Who quickly followed in a yawl -
With assistance of others, to make

Pursuit in a two mastered craft.

The group formed with harbour

Master and a Private Karran -
Crossing the harbour they caught

Up the yacht - the two Germans

On board lifted up their hands

To surrender, along with others.

Two more men were on a boat

Alongside - Germans and boats

Were searched, to find items;

Wire cutters, pincers, a compas,
Marlinspikes, sailmaker's thimble, 

Charts, log line and log books.

In addition; paraffin oil bottles,

Matches, along with a variety

Of food supplies, for their eager

Plan to flee - owner of Genesta

Stated how that two motorboats

In the harbour had been doctored.

A sabotage done to halt pursuit

Of the escaping German sailors -

28 January 1916, the four men

Before a military court charged

With escape and stealing - to be
Told of the men's good characters.

Along with this recommendation,

That came from two imprisoned

Officers, a court heard of Georges

Sudan's other escape at Douglas

Camp, to be held at Knockaloe - 

The military court considered.

Also in that court Franz Rignisky

Had stolen tobacco, while another,

Carl Hench had tried his luck

To escape - walking out with false

Pass - Hoffmann, Clauss, Karlsen

And Sudman all awaited verdict.

Already prisoners of Knockaloe,

What punishment might then be

Given? The final decision was

A deferred sentence, pending

The Governor's confirmation -

Very likely they were well guilty

Of building a discovered tunnel.

by Jamie Mann.

Anon.,1916. Escaped Germans On Yacht - Well Supplied With Provisions. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 29 January 1916. P.6. Col.5. Available http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/12120482/Daily-Telegraph-January-29-1916.html [Accessed: 29 January 2016].

Mann, J., 2016. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication, 29 January 2016). 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/12120482/Daily-Telegraph-January-29-1916.html

http://worldwaroneblogger.blogspot.co.uk/

#WW1 #WW1centenary #GreatWar #WW1poem #GreatWar #WW1centenary #worldwarone #worldwaroneremembered #WW1IsleofMan

Poem ~ The Acona Event - Monday 15 November 1915

Source: File: SS Ancona.jpeg, [online] An original image can be seen at: <http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?134717> [Accessed: 11 November 2015].

With one more unrepentent blow

At sea, another effect started to grow

Amid the opinions of American people -

This came on top of murder of Cavell,

By German execution and Lusitania

Sinking from six months before.

The SS Ancona was built in Ireland,

Operated in Genoa, by Italian Steamers

Navigation Society as a passenger liner.

Stopping at Messina, on the toe of Italy,

The liner took on more passengers -

To leave Sunday evening, 5 p.m.

With 163 crew, out a total of 446

Aboard, the Ancona began her voyage.

By Monday 8 November to sail south East

Of Sardinia by Cape Carbonara - under

The lead of Captain Massardo - varied

nationalities included Americans.

Among the cargo, entrusted to a civil

Servant, was a shipment of silver and

12 trunks of gold - believed to be intended

To purchase arms for Italy - as morning

Moved on an explosion hit the sea -

Some twenty yards from the ship.

At the same time a submarine shape

Was spotted, several kilometers distant -

The Ancona was steaming as the German

Boat gave chase - although it was flying

Austrian flag - shells were being fired

To destroy the onboard wireless.

The passengers were thrown

into panic - the time was closing

Towards 1p.m. as boats were lowered -

With the Ancona moving, the first

boat capsized and they fell into

Water - all to be drowned.

The second boat touched water,

Only to be hit by a torpedo - the third

Lowered, during which several people fell

Overboard; still the firing continued until

finally the Ancona halted at rest - then

Came the submarine at 200 yards.

From prow to stern, shells had then

Peppered the boat - Captain Massardo

Rushed through the Ancona, still to find

Some 30 aboard - he ordered the last

Boat down with rest of the crew, final

Passengers and the 2nd officer.

Captain Massardo stood on deck,

As the submarine with Austrian flag,

Fired a torpedo, he awaited the shock which

Struck; to leaving a gaping hole - Ancona

Began inevitable movements down -

Another enemy flag was hoisted.

The steamer lurched and prompted

Captain and his first officer begin a climb

Down, by use of a cable, towards the sea -

But as the ship rose they were forced

To jump - they made it to a lifeboat,

To aid others as the Ancona sank.

American reactions to Captain's

Account, caused a perception, from

Fact that the Ancona came under attack,

Without any warning - silence cracked

By protests, with the New York Times

To exclaim downright murder.

Outrage was fueled by fact 

That some Americans had been

On board the SS Ancona - President

Maintained neutrality - this was

Strained by people and press,

Echoed by a dinner speaker.

Joseph Hodges Choate, who had

Once been an ambassador in Britain,

Made it known, despite the Government

Stance, he totally supported the allies -

Fighting against 'barbaric atrocities' -

The US had given one warning.

In the event of the Lusitania case,

Washington had spelt out a promise -

That such persistent German deeds would

Be considered intended acts of hostility -

If Austrian or a German disguise - that

Warning stood as quoted by a paper -

USA patience was not limitless.

by Jamie Mann.

Anon.,1915 American Patience - 'Not Inexhaustable'. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 15 November. P.10. Col.6. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11994274/Daily-Telegraph-November-15-1915.html [Accessed: 15 November 2015].

Mann, J., 2015. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication, 15 November 2015). 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11994274/Daily-Telegraph-November-15-1915.html

http://worldwaroneblogger.blogspot.co.uk/

#WW1 #WW1centenary #GreatWar #WW1poem #GreatWar #WW1centenary #worldwarone #worldwaroneremembered #WW1NewYork

Poem ~ Ett hot mot neutralitet - onsdag juli 7, 1915

Källa: Arkiv: Vraket av tyska Minelaying Cruiser SMS Albatross strandade på stranden av Gotland juli 1915.jpg, kan The Original ses på: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Albatross_beached.jpg [Accessed : 7 juli 2015].

En sjö möte, som omfattar strävan
Av en tysk krigsfartyg av ryska fartyg,
Var för att orsaka en allvarlig incident;
För att utgöra ett hot mot den svenska neutraliteten.

Fartyget mötet närmade
Till Sverige vid inloppet Oestergarn -
När en herrelös skal slog i vattnet -
Ett par hundra kilometer från kusten.

Händelsen av ett sjöslag tog
Placera den 2 juli, nära ön
Av Gotland - som medde
Genom Petrograds svenska ministern.

På tal för den svenska regeringen,
Ministern gjorde höjdpunkt
Till den ryska kejserliga regeringen;
Handlingen att neutral kränkning.

Dessutom Sverige informerade Ryssland,
Den kör iland på Gotland
Av Tysklands örlogsfartyg, SMS Albatross
Vilket hade avväpnats.

Den tyska besättningen som interner
På Sveriges land - en tjänsteman
Svar kom från den kejserliga
Regeringen över händelsen.

Ryssland gav sitt beklagande för ett skal
Falling in territorialvatten.
En given anledning från Östersjöflottan: s
Admiral var tät dimma.

Den svenska ministern blev tillsagd, hur
Betingelserna förhindras
Exakt bränning - försäkrade sin avsikt
I observerade neutralitet.

Jamie Mann.

Anon. 1915. Baltic Battle - den svenska Protest - Ryska ursäkt. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 7 juli. P.10. Col.3. Finns på: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11721609/Daily-Telegraph-July-7-1915.html [Accessed: 7 juli, 2015].

Mann, J., 2015. 100 år sedan - Dikter av Jamie Mann. [Bokstav] (Personlig kommunikation 7 juli 2015).

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11721609/Daily-Telegraph-July-7-1915.html

http://worldwaroneblogger.blogspot.co.uk/

# WW1 # WW1centenary #GreatWar # WW1poem #GreatWar # WW1centenary #worldwarone #worldwaroneremembered # WW1Sweden

Poem ~ A Threat to Neutrality - Wednesday, 7 July 1915

Source: File: Wreck of german Minelaying Cruiser SMS Albatross beached on shore of Gotland, Sweden, July 1915.jpg, The Original can be seen at: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Albatross_beached.jpg [Accessed:  7July 2015].

A naval encounter, involving pursuit

Of a German warship by Russian ships,

Were to cause a serious incident;

To pose a threat to Swedish neutrality.

The ship encounter drew close

To Sweden at the inlet of Oestergarn -

When a stray shell hit the water -

Some two hundred yards from shore.

The event of a naval battle took

Place on 2 July, close to the island

Of Gothland - as communicated

By the Petrograd Swedish Minister.

Speaking for Swedish government,

The minister made the highlight

To the Russian Imperial government;

The act of neutral violation.

Additionally Sweden informed Russia,

The running ashore on Gothland

Of Germany's warship, SMS Albatross

Which had been disarmed.

The German crew being interned

On Sweden's land - an official

Response came from the imperial

Government over event.

Russia gave their regret for a shell

Falling into territorial waters.

A given reason from the Baltic Fleet's

Admiral was the dense fog.

The Swedish Minister was told, how

The conditions prevented

Accurate firing - assured of their intent

In observed neutrality.

by Jamie Mann.

Anon.,1915. Baltic Battle - the Swedish Protest - Russian Apology. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 7 July. P.10. Col.3. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11721609/Daily-Telegraph-July-7-1915.html [Accessed: 7 July 2015].

Mann, J., 2015. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication, 7 July 2015). 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11721609/Daily-Telegraph-July-7-1915.html

http://worldwaroneblogger.blogspot.co.uk/

#WW1 #WW1centenary #GreatWar #WW1poem #GreatWar #WW1centenary #worldwarone #worldwaroneremembered #WW1Sweden

Poem ~ Submarine Disguises - Sunday, 4 July 1915

Impression sketch of a four masted schooner - by Jamie.

A British Schooner, built in Nova Scotia,

Named after the Captain that sailed her -

Captain Leonard C. Tower -

Commanded the young swift schooner,

On her initial voyage across the sea.

The Canadian registered craft set out

From Parrsboro, Nova Scotia to Newport;

The schooner carrying timber -

On 1 July, Thursday morning, reaching

25 miles S.S.W. of the Fastnet.

Captain Tower, from his schooner,

Reported to see a submarine, some

Ten miles distant - the small

Four-mast schooner received a signal

From them to abandon ship.

As the submarine sailed closer,

L.C. Tower was heading for Lundy

Island - the Captain obeyed,

And the crew took to their motorboat

To witness sad destruction.

While probably apparent to German

Submarine crew of the obvious little

Importance of the schooner,

They spent time with explosive to set

The schooner alight.

In their move to shore Captain Tower

Of the burning schooner, reported

How the submarine crew

Rigged up masts, canvas funnels along

With dummy stern and bow.

Creating the effects of smoke from

The mock funnels, the enemy was then

Seen to move northwest -

With the crew safely reaching Crookhaven

As their vessel burnt to waterline.

by Jamie Mann.

Anon.,1915. Dummy Funnels. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 3 July. P.9. Col.6. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11708910/Daily-Telegraph-July-3-1915.html [Accessed: 4 July 2015].

Hurd, A., 1924. The Merchant Navy Vol 1. Bazell, Watson. 13 HEAVY LOSSES ON JULY 1 Available at: <https://archive.org/stream/merchantnavy02hurduoft/merchantnavy02hurduoft_djvu.txt>

Mann, J., 2015. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication, 4 July 2015). 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11708910/Daily-Telegraph-July-3-1915.html

http://worldwaroneblogger.blogspot.co.uk/

#WW1 #WW1centenary #GreatWar #WW1poem #GreatWar #WW1centenary #worldwarone #worldwaroneremembered