During the first few days in Baltimore I became simply an obstruction to the traffic.
In this manner we proceeded slowly to the North German Lloyd agency, which was surrounded by crowds of people.
The next step was to go through the necessary Custom House formalities. I made my way therefore to the Customs House authorities, and got through the usual examination; I was received on all sides in the most hearty and friendly manner.
Then I went back to the agency and devoted all my sailor-like abilities to the Press. I stood in the office of the North German Lloyd agency behind the barrier of the booking bureau, on the other side of which a huge crowd was pressing. I was quite alone, and had to hold my own against hundreds of men and women, who each had some particular question to put, from the most insignificant personalities up to the highest region of politics.
One lady called out:
"Do tell me, Captain, what it is like in a submarine?" Another asked with deep sympathy, "I say, is it true that in Germany the babies are starving for want of milk?" While a gentleman of extremely well-fed appearance showed his interest by the question, "Say, Captain, what do you live on?"
I was also frequently asked: "What about the Emperor's message you've brought over for Mr. Wilson?" To which I could give as little information as to the question, "When do you think of leaving Baltimore again?"
To all these and a hundred other questions I was obliged to make answer. I stood there like a breakwater, the tide swirling round me, creeping higher and higher, till my conscious self was almost swallowed up, only on the following day to reappear in bits in endless Press notices all over the world.
Meanwhile my body proceeded, somewhat fatigued, to the German club, where we had been invited to celebrate our arrival at a purely German gathering, during which our thoughts flew back with pride and love to the struggling Fatherland over yonder.