VA TRUE PIRATE TALE
Of all the stories of the sea to which the war has given rise, here is one that is certainly not the least entertaining. It is not a story of hunting a criminal. The only part which the Bomb Squad played in it was bringing the prisoner back to justice. It called for no service on our part save that of examining the prisoner, and returning him, with his statements and the statements of others who had dealings with him, to New York. And I think those statements themselves had best tell the story.
(From Detective Corell to the Commanding Officer of the Bomb Squad, April 1, 1916)
Sir: In compliance with orders received I went to Lewes, Delaware, to investigate and if possible bring back one Ernest Schiller, an alleged German spy....
Sir: In compliance with orders received I went to Lewes, Delaware, to investigate and if possible bring back one Ernest Schiller, an alleged German spy....
(From, a statement taken by Corell at Lewes, Del., March 31, 1916)
My name is Ernest Schiller. I am a native of Russia, 23 years of age.... My occupation is that of textile engineer. I arrived in New York in April, 1915, in the steamshipColoradofrom Hull, England, as a member of the crew, my assignment on the ship being greaser. My name on the ship was Frank Robertson. When I arrived at New York the captain gave me some of my money and I left the ship. I worked all told about eight or nine months, in Pawtucket, R. I., Lawrence, Mass., Whitinsville, Mass., Newton Upper Falls, Mass., and finished erecting a factory in Salem, Mass....
My name is Ernest Schiller. I am a native of Russia, 23 years of age.... My occupation is that of textile engineer. I arrived in New York in April, 1915, in the steamshipColoradofrom Hull, England, as a member of the crew, my assignment on the ship being greaser. My name on the ship was Frank Robertson. When I arrived at New York the captain gave me some of my money and I left the ship. I worked all told about eight or nine months, in Pawtucket, R. I., Lawrence, Mass., Whitinsville, Mass., Newton Upper Falls, Mass., and finished erecting a factory in Salem, Mass....
(From the examination of Clarence Reginald Hodson, alias Ernest Schiller, Robinson, Robertson, A. Henry, New York, April 1, 1916)
Question.What is your full name?Answer.Clarence Reginald Hodson.Q.What other names are you known by?A.Robinson, Robertson, A. Henry, and Ernest Schiller.Q.Where were you born?A.Petrograd, Russia.Q.Where were your father and mother born?A.My father in Russia, my mother in Germany. We lived in Petrograd until I was about 10 or 11. Then we went to England. My father and mother left me in Chatham House College, in Ramsgate. I stayed there three years....Q.What is the name of the head of that college?A.A. Henry.Q.Did you graduate?A.No. I was put on a Cadet—a Marine ship—namedConway, to train as a marine officer. I was on that ship two years. I left when I was 17 and went to work in a machine shop in Oldham, outside Manchester, and learned the trade of machinist there. I left there in August, 1914, and I joined the English Army.... I was asked to leave the job—was told that they would not have any young fellows on the job.... My boss said that sooner or later I should have to leave and that it would be better to go now, and that there would be a better opportunity.Q.At that time were your sympathies with the English?A.They were never with England. I just wanted to see what it was like to be a soldier. Ididn’t intend to fight against Germany. I did not think the war would last long—only a few months—and I knew all the time I could run away if I wanted to. So in December I left.Q.What was the occasion of your leaving?A.I commenced to discriminate the soldiers and make them out as to what they really were, and I found them a lot of rats. I saw that I was not a Britisher in my ideas, and that I favored the cause of Germany. I used to stay away from the other soldiers all I could, and go out with a newspaper and read in the fields. They were always bullyragging me, and one time I almost killed two soldiers for it. They chastised me for a German spy. I got away, and worked in Bath for a week, and then the police caught me and brought me back, and I was later discharged by my colonel when I explained that I could not agree with their theory of the war....
Question.What is your full name?
Answer.Clarence Reginald Hodson.
Q.What other names are you known by?
A.Robinson, Robertson, A. Henry, and Ernest Schiller.
Q.Where were you born?
A.Petrograd, Russia.
Q.Where were your father and mother born?
A.My father in Russia, my mother in Germany. We lived in Petrograd until I was about 10 or 11. Then we went to England. My father and mother left me in Chatham House College, in Ramsgate. I stayed there three years....
Q.What is the name of the head of that college?
A.A. Henry.
Q.Did you graduate?
A.No. I was put on a Cadet—a Marine ship—namedConway, to train as a marine officer. I was on that ship two years. I left when I was 17 and went to work in a machine shop in Oldham, outside Manchester, and learned the trade of machinist there. I left there in August, 1914, and I joined the English Army.... I was asked to leave the job—was told that they would not have any young fellows on the job.... My boss said that sooner or later I should have to leave and that it would be better to go now, and that there would be a better opportunity.
Q.At that time were your sympathies with the English?
A.They were never with England. I just wanted to see what it was like to be a soldier. Ididn’t intend to fight against Germany. I did not think the war would last long—only a few months—and I knew all the time I could run away if I wanted to. So in December I left.
Q.What was the occasion of your leaving?
A.I commenced to discriminate the soldiers and make them out as to what they really were, and I found them a lot of rats. I saw that I was not a Britisher in my ideas, and that I favored the cause of Germany. I used to stay away from the other soldiers all I could, and go out with a newspaper and read in the fields. They were always bullyragging me, and one time I almost killed two soldiers for it. They chastised me for a German spy. I got away, and worked in Bath for a week, and then the police caught me and brought me back, and I was later discharged by my colonel when I explained that I could not agree with their theory of the war....
(From the statement of “Schiller†to Corell)
A few months ago I received a letter from my mother and she wanted me to go back to Russia. I came down to New York to get my passport, but it did not arrive, so I waited a month. My money was gradually going down, so I borrowed some money, I won’t say from whom....â€
A few months ago I received a letter from my mother and she wanted me to go back to Russia. I came down to New York to get my passport, but it did not arrive, so I waited a month. My money was gradually going down, so I borrowed some money, I won’t say from whom....â€
(From the examination of Hodson)
Q.While in Lawrence, Mass., where did you stop?A.At the Saxsonia House, with Germans....Q.What are the names of any other people that you met at the Saxsonia House?A.Met a gentleman named Gruenwald at a German party. He invited me to come to his saloon in Lawrence....Q.While up in his saloon was there anybody else you were acquainted with there?A.Nobody, but I knew a young lady who stopped at the same house....Q.You were quite friendly with her?A.Yes, platonic friendship.Q.Did she loan you any money?A.She loaned me money from her own will. Two hundred dollars.... I only asked for $30, but she brought $200 in gold, all in gold....Q.How long after that before she loaned you any more?A.About a month later.... Telegraphed to her “Want money immediately.†I received by 12 o’clock $40. She said some more money coming tonight. Next morning I went to the address in Hoboken and there was a letter andthere was another $40 in the letter. Then I received $10 another time from her.Q.That’s $290.A.Yes, all I can think of.
Q.While in Lawrence, Mass., where did you stop?
A.At the Saxsonia House, with Germans....
Q.What are the names of any other people that you met at the Saxsonia House?
A.Met a gentleman named Gruenwald at a German party. He invited me to come to his saloon in Lawrence....
Q.While up in his saloon was there anybody else you were acquainted with there?
A.Nobody, but I knew a young lady who stopped at the same house....
Q.You were quite friendly with her?
A.Yes, platonic friendship.
Q.Did she loan you any money?
A.She loaned me money from her own will. Two hundred dollars.... I only asked for $30, but she brought $200 in gold, all in gold....
Q.How long after that before she loaned you any more?
A.About a month later.... Telegraphed to her “Want money immediately.†I received by 12 o’clock $40. She said some more money coming tonight. Next morning I went to the address in Hoboken and there was a letter andthere was another $40 in the letter. Then I received $10 another time from her.
Q.That’s $290.
A.Yes, all I can think of.
(From the “Schiller†statement)
... so I borrowed some money, I won’t say from whom. I went to Boston again and was looking for work. I could not get the work I wanted, so I returned to New York, and in Hoboken I ran across a few fellows, I do not know their names, and we made a plan to get some money....
... so I borrowed some money, I won’t say from whom. I went to Boston again and was looking for work. I could not get the work I wanted, so I returned to New York, and in Hoboken I ran across a few fellows, I do not know their names, and we made a plan to get some money....
(From the Hodson examination)
Q.Now where did you meet the Germans?A.When I arrived in New York, in a saloon near the Cunard Steamship Company in West Street about 12th, I met a man who I thought was a German, and I talked to him about blowing up ships, and we then went to Hoboken where I met the man Haller in a saloon.... Then we proposed which ship to blow up. That was the Cunard linerPannonia....Q.And how did you come to decide upon that boat?A.Because I knew perfectly well that all werecarrying plenty of ammunition.... I went down to the piers, and I saw this boat, and I thought that would be the right kind of a boat.... I met the three men in the vicinity of Pier 54. I bought them their suppers.... I then told the unknown man to get some dynamite ... and I gave him $6. Becker said that he had a boat, and I gave Becker $8 to buy gasolene, then to buy two revolvers out of a pawnshop.... I bought Haller a revolver and 100 cartridges....Q.Did you see them after that?A.Yes, I saw them Saturday morning and asked Becker about his motorboat and he said that he did not expect it would be frozen up, and acted as if he would have been willing to go into the plot only that the boat was frozen up. Becker said that the boat could be launched in two hours, and although I do not know anything about running a motorboat it is my belief that it would have taken six hours to launch this boat—-the boat we were supposed to use to go over in to blow up thePannonia—and this would be too late to get to the ship before she sailed.... Since that time I have not seen any of these men....
Q.Now where did you meet the Germans?
A.When I arrived in New York, in a saloon near the Cunard Steamship Company in West Street about 12th, I met a man who I thought was a German, and I talked to him about blowing up ships, and we then went to Hoboken where I met the man Haller in a saloon.... Then we proposed which ship to blow up. That was the Cunard linerPannonia....
Q.And how did you come to decide upon that boat?
A.Because I knew perfectly well that all werecarrying plenty of ammunition.... I went down to the piers, and I saw this boat, and I thought that would be the right kind of a boat.... I met the three men in the vicinity of Pier 54. I bought them their suppers.... I then told the unknown man to get some dynamite ... and I gave him $6. Becker said that he had a boat, and I gave Becker $8 to buy gasolene, then to buy two revolvers out of a pawnshop.... I bought Haller a revolver and 100 cartridges....
Q.Did you see them after that?
A.Yes, I saw them Saturday morning and asked Becker about his motorboat and he said that he did not expect it would be frozen up, and acted as if he would have been willing to go into the plot only that the boat was frozen up. Becker said that the boat could be launched in two hours, and although I do not know anything about running a motorboat it is my belief that it would have taken six hours to launch this boat—-the boat we were supposed to use to go over in to blow up thePannonia—and this would be too late to get to the ship before she sailed.... Since that time I have not seen any of these men....
(From the “Schiller†statement)
... but the other fellows left me, so I went on my own accord. I saw the steamshipMattoppowas going to leave, so I stowed away on her, in a life boat, where I remained for five days. The sixth day we left....
... but the other fellows left me, so I went on my own accord. I saw the steamshipMattoppowas going to leave, so I stowed away on her, in a life boat, where I remained for five days. The sixth day we left....
(From the statement of Captain R. Bergner, of the British S. S. “Mattoppoâ€)
At 3:30P. M.on the 29th March, the British S. S.Mattopposailed from 12th Street pier, Hoboken, destined to Vladivostock, Russia.
At 3:30P. M.on the 29th March, the British S. S.Mattopposailed from 12th Street pier, Hoboken, destined to Vladivostock, Russia.
(From the “Schiller†statement)
That night ... I came out from my hiding place and walked towards the captain’s cabin....
That night ... I came out from my hiding place and walked towards the captain’s cabin....
(From Captain Bergner’s statement)
At about 7:45P. M.... when at a point about twenty miles from Sandy Hook Lightship, I was talking to the Chief Engineer in his room, and at 8:05P. M.left and went to my own cabin, and as I entered my bedroom, which was adjoining, I was held up at the point of two revolvers by one Ernest Schiller, who said to me: “Hands up! I am a German. I am going to sink your ship.†He then made me turn round and gave me a frisk. He found nothing on me. He ordered me to shut my cabin door; then stood me in a corner and kept me covered with the two revolvers. Then he said: “Where is the safe?You have two thousand pounds aboard, and I want the money!†He told me he had placed bombs aboard the ship and was going to blow her up.At 8:20P. M.the Second Engineer knocked at my door, and receiving no reply opened it. Schiller instantly covered him with one of the revolvers and ordered him to come into the room, which he did. He then locked and bolted the doors on the inside and asked me for my keys.... He got them and proceeded to go through all the ship’s papers and my private effects. He opened my cash box and took four pounds in gold and five pounds in silver and said it was the first time he had ever robbed anyone but he needed the money. On seeing from the ship’s papers that she had barbed wire in her, he said: “That is contraband, and I am going to sink her.†He then inquired where I was bound for, and on my telling him she was going to Russia he seemed to hesitate about sinking her as he said he loved Russia. The conversation continued until about midnight....
At about 7:45P. M.... when at a point about twenty miles from Sandy Hook Lightship, I was talking to the Chief Engineer in his room, and at 8:05P. M.left and went to my own cabin, and as I entered my bedroom, which was adjoining, I was held up at the point of two revolvers by one Ernest Schiller, who said to me: “Hands up! I am a German. I am going to sink your ship.†He then made me turn round and gave me a frisk. He found nothing on me. He ordered me to shut my cabin door; then stood me in a corner and kept me covered with the two revolvers. Then he said: “Where is the safe?You have two thousand pounds aboard, and I want the money!†He told me he had placed bombs aboard the ship and was going to blow her up.
At 8:20P. M.the Second Engineer knocked at my door, and receiving no reply opened it. Schiller instantly covered him with one of the revolvers and ordered him to come into the room, which he did. He then locked and bolted the doors on the inside and asked me for my keys.... He got them and proceeded to go through all the ship’s papers and my private effects. He opened my cash box and took four pounds in gold and five pounds in silver and said it was the first time he had ever robbed anyone but he needed the money. On seeing from the ship’s papers that she had barbed wire in her, he said: “That is contraband, and I am going to sink her.†He then inquired where I was bound for, and on my telling him she was going to Russia he seemed to hesitate about sinking her as he said he loved Russia. The conversation continued until about midnight....
(From the “Schiller†statement)
While I was in the Captain’s room the Second Engineer came up, and after searching him tosee if he had any revolvers on him, I told him to sit down and make himself comfortable. I asked the Captain if he had any whiskey, as I was cold and had not had much to eat for five days, so the Captain gave me a bottle of whiskey and biscuits. After wishing one another good health we sat there for a couple of hours....
While I was in the Captain’s room the Second Engineer came up, and after searching him tosee if he had any revolvers on him, I told him to sit down and make himself comfortable. I asked the Captain if he had any whiskey, as I was cold and had not had much to eat for five days, so the Captain gave me a bottle of whiskey and biscuits. After wishing one another good health we sat there for a couple of hours....
(From Captain Bergner’s statement)
At midnight he said that he was going to disable the wireless, and on hearing someone in the chart room he bound me on my honor not to leave the cabin saying that if I did he would shoot me on sight....
At midnight he said that he was going to disable the wireless, and on hearing someone in the chart room he bound me on my honor not to leave the cabin saying that if I did he would shoot me on sight....
(From the statement of the Second Officer Allen Maclurcom)
When I came on watch at midnight I passed someone outside the chart room, but it being dark, and thinking it was the Captain, I walked on into the chart room, where this party followed me, and told me to throw my hands up. He told me the ship was under German command, and not attempt to make any resistance as it would mean the sacrifice of the Captain’s and Second Engineer’s lives. He said if the ship had been going to England he would have destroyed her immediately,but as she was bound for Russia he would probably spare her. Then he told me to walk ahead of him to the port-after-lifeboat, and get the axe, which was in the forward end of it. He then took me back to the Marconi room....
When I came on watch at midnight I passed someone outside the chart room, but it being dark, and thinking it was the Captain, I walked on into the chart room, where this party followed me, and told me to throw my hands up. He told me the ship was under German command, and not attempt to make any resistance as it would mean the sacrifice of the Captain’s and Second Engineer’s lives. He said if the ship had been going to England he would have destroyed her immediately,but as she was bound for Russia he would probably spare her. Then he told me to walk ahead of him to the port-after-lifeboat, and get the axe, which was in the forward end of it. He then took me back to the Marconi room....
(From the statement of the wireless operator, Alexander Dunnett)
I was on watch in the wireless room when this man came along with the Second Officer. He held me up with two revolvers, and brought me along to the apprentice’s room, together with the Second Officer. The latter told the apprentice, who acts as second operator, to come out. Schiller held him up, and told us both to go up to the chart room....
I was on watch in the wireless room when this man came along with the Second Officer. He held me up with two revolvers, and brought me along to the apprentice’s room, together with the Second Officer. The latter told the apprentice, who acts as second operator, to come out. Schiller held him up, and told us both to go up to the chart room....
(From the Second Officer’s statement)
He then took me back to the Marconi room, and proceeded to demolish the installation, holding the revolver against my ribs. From there he went to the Chief Engineer’s cabin and demanded his rifle, I accompanying him, and after obtaining it, threw it overboard. From there he made me walk ahead of him to the Chief Officer’s cabin, who he disarmed whilst he was asleep. He then ordered me to the bridge to steer south-west by compass, and as I was going on the bridge theThird Officer came down and he held him up, I going on the bridge in the meanwhile.
He then took me back to the Marconi room, and proceeded to demolish the installation, holding the revolver against my ribs. From there he went to the Chief Engineer’s cabin and demanded his rifle, I accompanying him, and after obtaining it, threw it overboard. From there he made me walk ahead of him to the Chief Officer’s cabin, who he disarmed whilst he was asleep. He then ordered me to the bridge to steer south-west by compass, and as I was going on the bridge theThird Officer came down and he held him up, I going on the bridge in the meanwhile.
Lieutenant George D. Barnitz, U. S. N.
Lieutenant George D. Barnitz, U. S. N.
(From the Wireless Operator’s statement)
Schiller came back again, and took us into the Captain’s room. Some time later he came back again and brought me down to the wireless room to see if I could repair the wireless installation, which he said he had smashed. I told him it might be possible to repair one instrument, and he said, “We will leave it until morning,†and then brought me along the deck to the Fourth and Fifth Engineers’ cabins and I opened the door and he went in. Both engineers were asleep and he made me search all the drawers; he brought out a revolver and a box of cartridges, which he made me throw over the side. He then took me to the Third Engineer’s cabin, and searched all the drawers there. He brought out of there a bottle of whiskey, and asked me if I had any money. Then he marched me up to the Captain’s cabin and ordered me to remain there until 6A. M.
Schiller came back again, and took us into the Captain’s room. Some time later he came back again and brought me down to the wireless room to see if I could repair the wireless installation, which he said he had smashed. I told him it might be possible to repair one instrument, and he said, “We will leave it until morning,†and then brought me along the deck to the Fourth and Fifth Engineers’ cabins and I opened the door and he went in. Both engineers were asleep and he made me search all the drawers; he brought out a revolver and a box of cartridges, which he made me throw over the side. He then took me to the Third Engineer’s cabin, and searched all the drawers there. He brought out of there a bottle of whiskey, and asked me if I had any money. Then he marched me up to the Captain’s cabin and ordered me to remain there until 6A. M.
(From “Schiller’s†statement)
I went into the various officers’ rooms and took all the revolvers from them. From the Steward I took ten dollars, and a two-dollar bill from the Second Mate.
I went into the various officers’ rooms and took all the revolvers from them. From the Steward I took ten dollars, and a two-dollar bill from the Second Mate.
(From the Second Officer’s statement)
At 1:30A. M.he returned to the bridge and ordered me to steer south by compass.
At 1:30A. M.he returned to the bridge and ordered me to steer south by compass.
(From the “Schiller†statement)
Then I went to the Captain’s cabin again, and told him I should sink the ship, but the Captain said he has worked since a boy on ships for a few shillings a week and he has worked himself up to this and surely it has not come to this. He said he has a wife and a child—a girl—and showed me on the wall the portrait of the child, and I asked him suppose the ship went down would he get another job, and he said he would have to work as a longshoreman. He said it was too rough for the boats to be lowered, so I did not want to commit murder. And knowing that the Captain would lose his position, and as I am a young man and can always find work, I asked the Captain if he will put me ashore in the morning. He gave me his word of honor that he would....
Then I went to the Captain’s cabin again, and told him I should sink the ship, but the Captain said he has worked since a boy on ships for a few shillings a week and he has worked himself up to this and surely it has not come to this. He said he has a wife and a child—a girl—and showed me on the wall the portrait of the child, and I asked him suppose the ship went down would he get another job, and he said he would have to work as a longshoreman. He said it was too rough for the boats to be lowered, so I did not want to commit murder. And knowing that the Captain would lose his position, and as I am a young man and can always find work, I asked the Captain if he will put me ashore in the morning. He gave me his word of honor that he would....
(From Captain Bergner’s statement)
At 5:30A. M.... he let me take charge of the ship, and I made for Delaware Breakwater....
At 5:30A. M.... he let me take charge of the ship, and I made for Delaware Breakwater....
(From the Wireless Operator’s statement)
At 6A. M.he told me I could go below, but not to go into the wireless room. I was along near the carpenter’s room when he was searching it, and he made me bring out an axe and took me to the wireless room again; there he told me to smash up one of the instruments, and he stood in back of me threatening me. I asked him then if that would do, after I had partly demolished the instruments, and he told me to leave the axe and lock the door, which I did. He then left me.
At 6A. M.he told me I could go below, but not to go into the wireless room. I was along near the carpenter’s room when he was searching it, and he made me bring out an axe and took me to the wireless room again; there he told me to smash up one of the instruments, and he stood in back of me threatening me. I asked him then if that would do, after I had partly demolished the instruments, and he told me to leave the axe and lock the door, which I did. He then left me.
(From “Schiller’s†statement)
When we sighted shore the Captain said that we would have to go straight towards the lighthouse, or else, if we went the other way (the way I wanted to) we should run ashore, so I left it to the Captain and trusted to his word, as he said he would land me....
When we sighted shore the Captain said that we would have to go straight towards the lighthouse, or else, if we went the other way (the way I wanted to) we should run ashore, so I left it to the Captain and trusted to his word, as he said he would land me....
(From Captain Bergner’s statement)
On approaching land he ordered one of the ship’s boats to be manned, and said that he was going to take two of the ship’s officers along as hostages to guarantee that I should not run him down, and he wanted three Chinese from the crew to row him ashore....
On approaching land he ordered one of the ship’s boats to be manned, and said that he was going to take two of the ship’s officers along as hostages to guarantee that I should not run him down, and he wanted three Chinese from the crew to row him ashore....
(From the statement of John S. Wingate, Keeper of the Cape Henlopen Coast Guard Station)
At about 11:30A. M.I noticed a steamship coming in from off shore. I said to the crew that it was a war vessel coming but I didn’t know whether it was German or British. At 11:45 the lookout reported to me that the steamer was headed direct for Hen and Chicken Shoal. I immediately ordered the signal “J. D.†hoisted on the pole, which means, “You are standing into danger.†When we supposed the ship saw our signal, he stopped, and laid to for about ten minutes, when he hard a-port and went clear of the shoal.A few minutes later he lowered a boat—we thought to take soundings, for the boat pulled away from the ship and headed direct for the beach.
At about 11:30A. M.I noticed a steamship coming in from off shore. I said to the crew that it was a war vessel coming but I didn’t know whether it was German or British. At 11:45 the lookout reported to me that the steamer was headed direct for Hen and Chicken Shoal. I immediately ordered the signal “J. D.†hoisted on the pole, which means, “You are standing into danger.†When we supposed the ship saw our signal, he stopped, and laid to for about ten minutes, when he hard a-port and went clear of the shoal.
A few minutes later he lowered a boat—we thought to take soundings, for the boat pulled away from the ship and headed direct for the beach.
(From the Second Officer’s statement)
At approximately 11:45A. M.... I got into the small boat at his command, with four of the crew, and we proceeded toward shore, but were stopped by the pilot cutterPhiladelphiawho told us that if we attempted to land we would be drowned. ThePhiladelphiathen towed us into smooth water....
At approximately 11:45A. M.... I got into the small boat at his command, with four of the crew, and we proceeded toward shore, but were stopped by the pilot cutterPhiladelphiawho told us that if we attempted to land we would be drowned. ThePhiladelphiathen towed us into smooth water....
(From Captain Wingate’s statement)
Meanwhile the pilot boat was heading down on the ship, blowing her whistle to warn the ship of her danger. By this time the ship hoisted a signal “K. T. S.,†which means “Piracy.†I ordered my boat made ready at once when I saw the “Piracy†signal; five minutes later he started for the ship. At 12:20 I had called Keeper Lynch of the Lewes station telling him what I was going to do, and to meet me off the Point.
Meanwhile the pilot boat was heading down on the ship, blowing her whistle to warn the ship of her danger. By this time the ship hoisted a signal “K. T. S.,†which means “Piracy.†I ordered my boat made ready at once when I saw the “Piracy†signal; five minutes later he started for the ship. At 12:20 I had called Keeper Lynch of the Lewes station telling him what I was going to do, and to meet me off the Point.
(From the statement of Captain John S. Lynch of the Lewes Coast Guard Station)
I and my crew launched our power lifeboat and started for the steamer. Before I could get to the steamer I saw the pilot boat towing in the steamer’s skiff. The pilot boat let go of the skiff right off the Capes, and the occupants of the skiff started to row for shore. I called to them and they stopped. We went alongside, and I told them I would take the man ashore and save them the trouble. So he got into our boat.I then run off and picked up Captain Wingate, whose boat is a rowboat, and we went alongside the steamer. I asked for the Captain of the steamer, and they told me he was going ashore in the sail pilot boat, so we run alongside the sailpilot boat, and I asked the Captain of the steamer to come along with me. He says, “I will not. Not withthatman in your boat. He’s got five guns on him!†I then told him that I did not care how many guns he had as I was not afraid of him and he requested me to take the man ashore myself. Then this man Ernest Schiller began to throw his guns overboard: Schiller throwed one gun overboard, Captain Wingate, who had come aboard my boat throwed two overboard, and C. A. Jenkins throwed another one overboard, Schiller having thrown them into the bottom of the boat. He, Schiller, throwed a lot of cartridges overboard, and when we came ashore we searched him and took the balance of the cartridges which he had on him and throwed them overboard. I then brought him up to the Customs Office and left him there.
I and my crew launched our power lifeboat and started for the steamer. Before I could get to the steamer I saw the pilot boat towing in the steamer’s skiff. The pilot boat let go of the skiff right off the Capes, and the occupants of the skiff started to row for shore. I called to them and they stopped. We went alongside, and I told them I would take the man ashore and save them the trouble. So he got into our boat.
I then run off and picked up Captain Wingate, whose boat is a rowboat, and we went alongside the steamer. I asked for the Captain of the steamer, and they told me he was going ashore in the sail pilot boat, so we run alongside the sailpilot boat, and I asked the Captain of the steamer to come along with me. He says, “I will not. Not withthatman in your boat. He’s got five guns on him!†I then told him that I did not care how many guns he had as I was not afraid of him and he requested me to take the man ashore myself. Then this man Ernest Schiller began to throw his guns overboard: Schiller throwed one gun overboard, Captain Wingate, who had come aboard my boat throwed two overboard, and C. A. Jenkins throwed another one overboard, Schiller having thrown them into the bottom of the boat. He, Schiller, throwed a lot of cartridges overboard, and when we came ashore we searched him and took the balance of the cartridges which he had on him and throwed them overboard. I then brought him up to the Customs Office and left him there.
(From “Schiller’s†statement)
I am willing to go back to New York ... immediately, and confess my guilt. I swear on oath that there are no bombs placed on the ship, to my knowledge. I simply made that statement to the Captain as a bluff.
I am willing to go back to New York ... immediately, and confess my guilt. I swear on oath that there are no bombs placed on the ship, to my knowledge. I simply made that statement to the Captain as a bluff.
Thus this venturesome Russian, Hodson by birth, Schiller by preference, and German by conviction,who single-handed captured a steamship, returned to New York, thirty-six hours after he had left port. He walked the plank to the United States Penitentiary at Atlanta for life, for “piracy on the high seas.â€