The next day, on January 11th, at ten in the morning, a cloud of smoke
was signalled. We went slowly towards it. Presently, with glasses, we
could make out the tops of masts and the funnels of our first victim.
She must not escape us. Orders were sent to the engine-room to give us
as much speed as possible. When, at last, we got a nearer view of the
boat, we put her down to be English, and about the same size as the
_Moewe_. As the distance between us diminished, a second cloud of smoke
came in sight on our other bow, and grew rapidly larger and larger.
Evidently a second victim was flying into our arms! If the captain
of this second boat had been more considerate he would have waited
until we had at least settled with Number One. Owing to his untimely
appearance our task would be doubly difficult. But we did not allow our
spirits to be damped. We simply slowed down in order to reconnoitre the
second intruder. This boat also turned out to be English, of the same
size as the first.
When she was sufficiently near, we hoisted the signal, "What is your
name?" The answer came: "_Farringford_."
The time for action had arrived!
As we saw that the boat to starboard was slower than the _Moewe_, we
first tackled the second intruder.
We signalled "Stop," and showed the German ensign, and--to let both
our neighbors see that we were in earnest--we fired a shot. Both ships
stopped immediately. The _Moewe_ steered towards the _Farringford_,
and, at a distance of fifty yards, I shouted: "Abandon the ship
immediately."
My intention was to take the crew on board; then to approach the other
boat and, finally, to sink both vessels.
But this was easier said than done. Owing to the high seas, the
transfer of the crew of the first boat was somewhat difficult and took
time; meanwhile, the other ship utilized the opportunity to disappear
in a dazzling rainbow. I consequently gave up my first intention of
blowing up the _Farringford_. Instead, I ordered a few shots to be
fired at her. Two of these having struck the water-line, and her
sinking appearing to be imminent, we were at liberty to pursue the
fugitive at full speed. Overtake her we must, for if she escaped us our
detection was a dead certainty. Presently the fugitive was once more
in sight. I sent a shell through the air, and, with a great display
of smoke, the steamer tried to increase her pace; but a second shell
recalled the captain to his senses. He notified his intention to stop
by showing all his lights and three red lamps, and after a two hours'
pursuit we got alongside him.
A prize-crew of two officers and six men promptly went on board. The
first thing to be done was to ascertain the owner of the boat and
cargo. Then her papers had to be examined and their accuracy verified.
Finally, the crew was reviewed and the cargo examined. The results were
duly signalled to the _Moewe_.
We were thus informed that she was an English steamer, the _Corbridge_,
three thousand six hundred and eighty-seven tons, taking a cargo of
four thousand tons of coal from Cardiff to Brazil.