The Spectator

The Spectator at war: The polite pirate

From ‘News of the Week’, The Spectator, 27 March 1915:

On Friday the Admiralty announced that they bad good reason to believe that the German submarine ‘U29’ bad been sunk with all hands. The vessel was commanded by Captain Weddigen, who sank three British cruisers at the be- ginning of the war, and who on March 12th, when off the Scilly Islands, destroyed three trading ships. Captain Weddigen, for the courtesy he displayed to his victims, earned the name of the “Polite Pirate.” He not only expressed his regret at having to sink merchant ships, but entertained the crews and towed their boats some distance towards the land. He was brave and skilful, and as humane as his orders would allow him to be. The sinking of the ‘U29’ brings the roll of destroyed submarines up to five, but it is, of course, possible that the German losses have really been larger.

Comments

Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months

Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.

Already a subscriber? Log in