(From “Schiller’s” statement)
When we sighted shore the Captain said that we would have to go straight towards the lighthouse, or else, if we went the other way (the way I wanted to) we should run ashore, so I left it to the Captain and trusted to his word, as he said he would land me....
(From Captain Bergner’s statement)
On approaching land he ordered one of the ship’s boats to be manned, and said that he was going to take two of the ship’s officers along as hostages to guarantee that I should not run him down, and he wanted three Chinese from the crew to row him ashore....
(From the statement of John S. Wingate, Keeper of the Cape Henlopen Coast Guard Station)
At about 11:30 A. M. I noticed a steamship coming in from off shore. I said to the crew that it was a war vessel coming but I didn’t know whether it was German or British. At 11:45 the lookout reported to me that the steamer was headed direct for Hen and Chicken Shoal. I immediately ordered the signal “J. D.” hoisted on the pole, which means, “You are standing into danger.” When we supposed the ship saw our signal, he stopped, and laid to for about ten minutes, when he hard a-port and went clear of the shoal.
A few minutes later he lowered a boat—we thought to take soundings, for the boat pulled away from the ship and headed direct for the beach.
(From the Second Officer’s statement)
At approximately 11:45 A. M.... I got into the small boat at his command, with four of the crew, and we proceeded toward shore, but were stopped by the pilot cutter Philadelphia who told us that if we attempted to land we would be drowned. The Philadelphia then towed us into smooth water....
(From Captain Wingate’s statement)
Meanwhile the pilot boat was heading down on the ship, blowing her whistle to warn the ship of her danger. By this time the ship hoisted a signal “K. T. S.,” which means “Piracy.” I ordered my boat made ready at once when I saw the “Piracy” signal; five minutes later he started for the ship. At 12:20 I had called Keeper Lynch of the Lewes station telling him what I was going to do, and to meet me off the Point.