“During the calm days we had prepared a clever disguise which would
change us from a submarine to a regular steamer. Out of sail-cloth we
had made a smoke-stack which, with steel rings, we could fasten to
the periscope and raise it up. To cover the conning-tower we had a
dressing of sail-cloth so that it would look like the deck-house on a
small freight-steamer. In this way we made ready for any possibility
and directed our course through the beautiful sunshine until one
evening at half-past seven a steamer appeared ahead of us on the port
bow. We knew at once that he would pass close if we continued on our
course. We changed it a little, swinging off a few points in order to
test our disguise.
“The smoke-stack is hoisted on the periscope and bellies out in the
wind. In order to make it more real we build a fire in the lower
opening, using cotton soaked in oil for fuel. At the same moment
the conning-tower disappears under the cover, which trembles in the
breeze. The oily cotton loses its honor and only stinks. There is no
smoke coming from it. Every one is standing blowing with cheeks puffed
out until our ‘tradelose,’ a foxy Berliner, fetches an air-pump and
gets a big flame in our fake stoke-hole. With one hurrah his trick is
rewarded; above the smoke-stack’s upper opening we could see a slender
stream of smoke only to diminish to nothing in the next minute. We
roar with laughter and again make ready to proceed with our dummy
smoke-stack minus smoke.
[Illustration:
© _International Film Service._
The _Deutschland_ Arriving at Bremen, Having Returned from a
Trans-Atlantic Voyage]
“When our boatswain, Humke, comes with a jar filled with tar, the
air-pump again starts to work, and at last big clouds of smoke pour
out of the funnel. The effect was great. The steamer, which was at a
distance, suddenly changes its course and comes straight for us.
“This we had never expected. I therefore order the mast taken down
and make ready for diving. Our canvas covering disappears from the
conning-tower and with a deep bow the smoke-stack comes down.
“As soon as the steamer sees this change in our make-up, fear fills his
heart. He changes his course and flees, throwing thick, black clouds of
smoke which we admire not without a feeling of jealousy.
“Without hindrance we again hoist our funnel. The masts are raised. And
while our steamer speeds away in her wild flight we laugh so the tears
run down our cheeks.
“Our fine disguise which was intended to let us pass unnoticed had
instead attracted the steamer’s attention to us. He undoubtedly took
us for a wreck or a ship in distress and came toward us with the kind
intentions to save us. When he could suddenly see himself the target
for the devilish cunning of a foxy U-boat he fled precipitately.
“What did the people of the steamer think when they recovered from
their scare? Maybe they felt proud to have been able to escape from
the heartless ‘pirate.’ And we, who would have been so proud if our
disguise had worked a little better, were preparing to sink below the
surface to avoid him.
“Well, we thought, ‘better luck next time,’ and we improved our
invention with the result that two days later, while throwing off solid
clouds of smoke, we passed by a steamer which we met without causing
the least suspicion.”
And so without mishap or misadventure the _Deutschland_ fared to her
destination, tarried some while in the American port where officers
and men were discreetly entertained, the United States being a neutral
country then. Suddenly, mysteriously she put to sea again. Many were
the rumors of disaster to her—for the return trip was long and beset
with peril from paroling and watchful destroyers eager to catch sight
of her; but in due course and in triumphant contradiction of reports of
her destruction the first authentic news was of her safe return to the
home harbor.