German auxiliary cruiser Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse destroyed according to the Dutch newspaper Rotterdamsch nieuwsblad dated 3 September 1914

An item dated Berlin 3 September referred to a telegram received from the commanding officer of the destroyed German auxiliary cruiser Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse that her entirely crew was saved.(1) The Nieuwe Rotterdamsche Courant dated the 27^th referred to the German newspaper Posener Tageblatt that she was not destroyed by British gunfire but that her own officer blew her up after spending all ammunition on board. The Rotterdamsch nieuwsblad dated the 29^th confirmed the last variant but also described the fight. The German commanding officer Rudolph Meyer stated in New York that he destroyed three British merchant ships before he was attacked by the Highflyer. He could not escape lacking enough speed and was hit amidships by a gunshot from the Highflyer from a distance of 6 kilometres. Finally he ordered his men (around 600) to jump over board. The newspaper Nieuwsblad van Friesland dated 29 August reported that she measured 14.000 tons and was armed with 10 guns with a calibre of probably 10,5cm. Her survivors were landed before she sunk. The newspaper Het nieuws van den dag dated 21 November referred to the New York Herald that ten officers interned at Las Palmas escaped despite their oath  with a Dutch steamship where they were signed pretending to be firemen.

Note

1. The newspaper Nieuwe Rotterdamsche Courant dated 31 August published an item dated Madrid 30 August that her crew was brought on shore by the Spanish boat Esmera. On the beach were they attacked by natives and five Germans were severely wounded.