Our naval defence correspondent "Neptune"offers another column from his vantage point at the Empire Lounge, Raffles Hotel (reflecting state of play in our PBEM campaign after eight turns, with much information concealed for the purposes of OPSEC - ref).
FALL OF TSINGTAO
Souvenir postcards are already circulating showing the capture of the German port of Tsingtao by land and sea forces of the Empire of Japan. This victory deprives the German navy in the Pacific of an important port and supply source. It is expected that Japanese warships will now be freed up to patrol much of the northern Pacific, allowing our own forces to concentrate on finding and destroying the Kaiser's pirates.
ANOTHER ESCAPE FOR THE EMDEN
Royal Navy sources report that that piratical scourge of the seas, the Emden, has has another encounter with HMAS Sydney, this time in the Gulf of Thailand. Captain Glossop, commander of the Sydney, has chased the jackal from its prey. While the Emden escaped, our Australian friends rescued the SS Sophie and her crew, which was in the process of being plundered of her coal by the German pirates, as well as passengers and crew of the passenger vessel SS St Osmund.
In a particularly exciting moment, as the Emden got under way, a single brave figure was seen diving from her deck and swimming to shore. This was Mr Timothy Jukes, a Royal Navy midshipman who was one of four RN officers aboard the St Osmund when it was captured.
Mr Midshipman Jukes
Jukes has confirmed that there were several other RN officers held aboard Emden, including Commander the Rt Hon. Geoffrey Sykes-Willoughby. The Admiralty encourages all vessels to do all in their power to rescue this gallant peer. First Sea Lord Churchill has personally recommended Mr Midshipman Jukes for Conspicuous Gallantry Medal.
SAILOR'S RUMOURS ABOUND
The superstitious nature of Jack Tar is well known. There are now a host of rumours flying about that pirate scourge of the sea, the Emden. Some sailors have been heard to say that the Captain of the Emden has made a pact with the devil. Each escape is paid for with the souls of stokers, those poor buggers. Emden's stacks burn with an unseemly fire when she is fleeing from the justice of the Royal Navy.
A SAUCY REPLY TO A YANKEE SKIPPER
Ports around the Bay of Bombay are still buzzing from the complaints made by one Samuel Adams, the Master of the Chauncey, an American cargo clipper that was boarded by Germans from the Koenigsberg. The Kaiser's pirates treated Master Adams and his crew with disdain and Hunnish rudeness, prompting our Yankee friend to bitterly complain to all and sundry about the Royal Navy failing to prevent such outrages.
Your British Tar is a cheeky fellow and has no truck with such Yankee carping. An anonymous sailor has written this letter to the Sling.
“If US ship captains have any further input into the conduct of the war or the safety of American shipping they are welcome to join the war effort at anytime otherwise please forward future complaints to the Imperial German Navy."s to the Imperial German Navy. “
CUTTING THE GERMAN SUPPLY SOURCES
Allied morale has been encouraged this week with the arrival of a prize ship, the SS Titania, in Hong Kong. This German supply ship was part of the German Admiral Von Spee's squadron, but was captured by ships belonging to Admiral Jerram's China Squadron. Titania's crew of German naval reservists were marched off their ship and into captivity by Royal Marines. and the ship will be repurposed as a British supply ship. We can imagine with satisfaction that Von Spee, if he is still alive, will be in a pretty pickle without the previous supplies now in our hands.
Your humble correspondent Neptune welcomes all tips and information, especially when accompanied by a drink offer. He can be found most days at the Empire Lounge, at his usual table for the 4pm Happy Hour. Ask Fernando to point him out to you.
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