The first officer of the _Brussels_, referred to in the German
_communiqué_ quoted, was William Hartwell. He was interned in Holland
and from there sent the following report to Mr. C. Busk, one of the
officials of the Great Eastern Railway. It gives all the particulars
known of the arrest and execution of Capt. Fryatt:
“Sir: This being the first opportunity since the capture of the
_Brussels_ in 1916, I will endeavor to give you details of the capture
and happenings up to July 27th, this being the date of Capt. Fryatt’s
death. I beg to report that on June 22d the steamship _Brussels_
left Rotterdam with cargo and passengers for Tilbury, stopping at
the Hook of Holland. She left the Hook Quay at 11 p. m. on that day,
the weather being very fine and clear. All saloon and cabin lights
were extinguished before passing the North Pier Light. Directly after
passing it, a very bright light was shown from the beach, about four
miles north of the Hook, followed by a bright star, such as a rocket
would throw. After a lapse of ten minutes this was repeated. On both
occasions Capt. Fryatt and myself remarked upon it, as we had never
seen similar lights on any previous occasions. After passing the Maas
Light Vessel, all Board of Trade Regulation Lights were darkened.
Five miles west of the light vessel a very small craft, probably
a submarine not submerged, commenced Morseing the letter ‘S’ at
intervals. No other lights were visible.
“After running for one hour and thirty minutes, an extra sharp
lookout was kept for a steamer that was going in the same direction
and without lights, the port and starboard lights of the _Brussels_
being put on for the time being. At 12:46 craft without lights were
seen at a point on the starboard bow, traveling at a great speed in
the opposite direction. These proved to be German destroyers of the
latest type, five in all. Two came alongside on the starboard side,
and one on the port side, the other two following close behind.
During the time the destroyers were approaching their commanders were
shouting orders to stop, asking the name of the ship, and threatening
to fire on us. No firing occurred, however. As soon as Capt. Fryatt
was assured that the destroyers were German, he gave orders for all
passengers to be ready to take to the boats if necessary, and quietly
instructed me to destroy all dispatches and official papers. His
instructions were carried out, and as the last bag was destroyed
German seamen, armed with pistols and bombs, appeared on the starboard
alleyway. I passed through the saloon to the deck and met more German
seamen, who were driving all the crew they could find over the rail on
to the destroyers. I was ordered over the rail, but refused to go, and
then met the officer who came on board to take charge. He requested me
to show him to the bridge, which I did. He greeted Capt. Fryatt, and
congratulated himself over the great prize.