ely I had slung across my shoulder a pair of glasses, and, on
looking at the vessel through them, I noticed that they were attempting
to lower the boats, while the remainder of the crew stood at attention
on the deck. We could see that the vessel was sinking, and the lifeboats
and other boats were hastening to the rescue.

"The vessel then gradually disappeared, bow first, and after about
fifteen minutes not a sign of her remained."

*Lieut. Weddigen's Own Story*

*By Herbert B. Swope.*

[Copyright, 1914, by The Press Publishing Company (The New York World).]

BERLIN, Sept. 30.--Through the kindness of the German Admiralty I am
able to tell exclusively the story of Capt. Lieut. Otto Weddigen,
commander of the now world famous submarine U-9, whose feat in
destroying three English cruisers has lifted the German Navy to a lofty
place in sea history.

There is an inviolable rule in the German Army and Navy prohibiting
officers from talking of their exploits, but because of the special
nature of Weddigen's exploit an exception was made, and through the good
offices of Count von Oppersdorf The World was granted the right of first
telling Weddigen's remarkable story.

It must be borne in mind that Lieut. Weddigen's account has been
officially announced and verified by German Navy Headquarters. That will
explain why certain details must be omitted, since they are of
importance if further submarine excursions are undertaken against the
British fleet. Following is Weddigen's tale, supplemented by the
Admiralty Intelligence Department:

By CAPT. LIEUT. OTTO WEDDIGEN.
Commander of the German Submarine U-9.

I am 32 years old and have been in the navy for years. For the last five
years I have been attached to the submarine flotilla, and have been most
interested in that branch of the navy. At the outbreak of the war our
undersea boats were rendezvoused at certain harbors in the North Sea,
the names of which I am restrained from divulging.

Each of us felt and hoped that the Fatherland might be benefited by such
individual efforts of ours as were possible at a time when our bigger
sisters of the fleet were prohibited from activity. So we awaited
commands from the Admiralty, ready for any undertaking that promised to
do for the imperial navy what our brothers of the army were so
gloriously accomplishing.

It has already been told how I was married at the home of my brother in
Wilhelmshaven to my boyhood sweethear