SMS Pillau, sister ship of the Elbing as the Italian Bari
An item reported the arrival at Ijmuiden, Netherlands of the Dutch steam trawler Bertha with on board 15 seamen included 3 officers (master lieutenant Madling, 2 lieutenants) belonging to the crew of the German cruiser Elbing.(1) They claimed that she was scuttled by her own crew when it became that she was beyond repairs. Another item mentioned totally 21, namely 3 officers, 3 sergeants and 15 sailors.
Furthermore was one wounded British sailor on board. This seems to be doctor Blurton of the British destroyer Tipperary.(2) All survivors were picked up at the North Sea and promised not to escape. While it was not possible for the Dutch steam trawler Bertha to get in contact with the British or German fleets, were the survivors not interned in the Netherlands and by the Dutch cabinet permitted to return homewards. Elsewhere is claimed that the German survivors were temporarily interned at Bergen, Netherlands. The master of the Bertha stated that all Germans were sceptical about who won the battle.(3)
Notes
1. Of the Pillau-class light cruisers, preceded by the Graudenz-class and succeeded by the Wiesbaden-class, ordered by Russia as the Admiral Nevelskoy, laid down by Schichau-Werke, Danzig, Germany in 1913, confiscated in August 1914, launched on 21 November 1914, commissioned on 4 September 1915 and sunk on 1 June 1916. Her sister ship SMS Pillau laid down for Russian account as the Maraviev Amurskyy survived the war and was handed over to Italy and there commissioned as the Bari.
2. Launched at J.S. White, Cowes, England in 5 March 1915 and sunk on 1 June 1916. Part of the Faulknor-class with as sister ships Faulknor, Broke, Botha and Tipperary, preceded by the Medea-class and succeeded by the Marksman-class. Originally built for Chilean account but purchased by the British Royal Navy when the First World War broke out. The Tipperary was the former Almirante Riveros.
3. Battle of Jutland or Skagerrak between the British and German navies 31 May-1 June 1916. British losses 6.094 men killed, 674 men wounded, 3 battle cruisers, 3 armoured cruisers, 8 destroyers total tonnage lost 113.300 tons and German losses 2.551 men killed, 507 wounded, 1 battle cruiser, 1 pre-dreadnought, 4 light cruisers, total tonnage 62.300 tons.
