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After leaving Cape Town the ship proceeded 500 nm
west [must have meant east], only then on a northerly course.
He had met no other ships on the route. Was originally intended
to go to New York in ballast. Diverted to Charleston en route
due to urgent engine damage. About 3-5 days before the sinking a
submarine warning was received 3 times from the Barbados transmitter:
A U-boat was reported first southeast, then east, then north of
Barbados (not U-156). Written warning of German whaling boats
in the South Atlantic was found. (Suspected to be scouting ships) |
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| 2.) |
The crew came from the so-called "pool" from which closed
crews are taken, from which the Captain could not refuse individuals.
Crew was on average very old, people more than 60 years are
not useful for a serious artillery fight. Engine personnel
are more scarce than sailors. 1 watch engineer was still at work
in spite of age and almost complete deafness. In the crew numerous
drunkenness offences, thefts are increasing. |
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| 3.) |
Steamer made no defense in spite of armament (1 7.5 cm stern artillery),
because people were more valuable than the empty steamer.
Two reservists with gunner training are aboard for the artillery
who were only on watch by day from 04.00-20.00 hours. Artillery
was serviced three times a week, Friday 2 live shots against box
or barrel. Small ammunition inventory, supposedly only 29
shots. |
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| 4.) |
Bridge watch consists of 1 officer, 1 helmsman, 1 lookout.
No man in the mast. The ship's papers are kept on the bridge in
a loose steel chest, ready for immediate sinking. |
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| 5.) |
The weekly losses of the Allies go to the Captains as confidential
reports. Currently they amount to 17-23 ships. The losses
to Japanese submarines in the Indian ocean are high. Calcutta may
be entered only with particularly important goods and explicit permission.
The ship had escaped from Rangoon one day before the fall. |
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| 6.) |
In writing found: ships with less than 8-1 / 2 knots speed may
proceed in the Atlantic only by exemption which is given case by
case in Cape Town. |
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