German crews trying to demolish their ships lying in Chilean harbours according to the Dutch newspaper De Tijd dated 9 September 1918

An item dated Santiago, Chile 7th referred to a statement of the German ambassador dealing with the destruction of the German merchants ships interned in Chilean harbours and which was published in the Chilean harbours. The statement was with lack of enthusiasm received. Von Eckert denied the existence of plan to scuttle the ships or to damage Chilean harbours and further more that the crews had orders to allow Chilean authorities to enter the ships at all times. The statement was received by most of the Chileans as not satisfying while lacking sufficient details as for instance why the engines were destroyed at the same time. In the harbour of Corral were the demolition efforts of the German crews the most successful. Of the steamships Ramses, Sebara, Sisak and Redophis with a total tonnage of 13.000 tons was the machinery complete destroyed just like that of the York at Valparaiso and the Carnao and Thessalia at Antofagasta. All German ships in Chilena harbours together 32 steam and 7 sail ships with a total tonnage of 230.000 tons were since then strictly guarded. The cabinet was not able to act while on Tuesday the department resigned.