Sea Devil, Tauranga in Tauranga, Bay of Plenty for sale
Many books have been written about the WWI exploits of Count Felis von Luckner and his sailing ship raider"Seeadler."The latest in this long line of von Luckner (VL) literature is probably the most comprehensive and thoroughly researched, using documents and records released only recently by the authorities in Germany and New Zealand. The story of VL and the Seeadler is not diminished by the number of books produced, rather it is a measure of the durability of the story. Late in 1916 the Seeadler. probably the last full-igged warship, set sail, to sink or capture Allied merchant ships. The raider had been fitted with diesel engines to enable her to maintain progress when the wind failed. After a successful cruise in the Atlantic, where many ships were sunk or captured., VL's decision to move to the Pacifics proved less rewarding, with his sinkings there being three small sailing ships totalling just under 2000 tons.Most passengers and crew ships were released by von Luckner and transported to neutral ports in captured ships.The legend that no person was killled as a result of the Seeadler's actions is confounded by the death of a British apprentice, who died aboard the raider from shrapnel injuries to his head when his ship was shelled. Otherwise, VL's treatment of his prisoners was said to be examplry. In the Pacific,after three weeks of searching for ships the Seeadler anchored off the deserted island of Maupelia where it was intended to lay for several days. However, the ship was wrecked when overwhelmed. lifted up and crashed down on a reef by a"tidal wave,"but not one person was lost. That was the end of the Seeadler's cruise, but not the advetures and exploits of the"Sea Devil"(as VL was known)l and his crew. These included an open boat voyage to Fiji, where VL and the boat's crew were captured, as were the remainder on Maupelia. All were taken to NZ and interned on Motuihe Island in the Hauraki Gulf. James Bade then examines consequent events including VL's escape, capture of the scow Moa which was sailed to Kermadecs where it was recaptured by the cable ship Iris, hastily armed for the chase. Returned to Motuihe, VL was later transferred to Rapipa Island fort in Lyttelton with some of his senion officers, while most of the crew were relocated to Somes Island in Wellington Harbour. Several NZ Army officers were demoted as a result to the escape from Motuihe and allegations were made by the prisoners of maltreatmen by NZ Forces. These matters and others are discussed in this compelling account of the life and times of the Sea Devil, including his triumphant return visit to NZ in 1938. He and his crerw had been repatriated to Germany in May 1919. An amazing story, brilliantly told , with the text complemented by a collection of illustraions surpassing any previous book on the subject. First edition of 2006, from Steele Roberts, 136 pages including three appendices, notes, bibliographu and index. Illustrated with photos, (13 in a colour section, art and photos), plus b/w photos throughout, drawings, maps and documents. photo e/papers and pictorial half-title. Black hard covers with silver spine titles NF, ink name/address former owner top FFEP, no other inscrptions and text block otherwise NF. DJ is NF with colour Seeadler painting to front, b/w illustration to rear panel. Size: 25.5cm By 21cm
Author
James Bade
Title
Sea Devil
Publisher name
Steele Roberts, Wellington
Shipping time
2 - 4 days
Publication year
2006
Edition
First edition
Binding type
Hard cover
Vendor name
BOPBooks
Vendor rating
Key words
World War I, Naval, South Pacific, New Zealand, German Raider Seeadler, Count Von Luckner, History
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