German Steamer Heidelberg Captain Spreckels Lifeboat Surrender 1941 AP Photo For Sale

This is a silver gelatin photograph that is unmounted and is 7½ x 4¾ inches (190x120mm).

It shows a small wooden rowing boat navigating choppy water, viewed from above. Several men are seated inside, with four oars extended into the water. Most of the men are wearing white uniforms, while one figure in white, seated in the stern, is looking back towards the camera.

The reverse has a typed caption from Associated Press detailing the interception of the disguised German steamer Heidelberg by British naval forces. The text explains that the ship attempted to run the British blockade disguised as the Dutch cargo vessel Heemskerk, was set on fire by its crew, and was eventually sunk by a British light cruiser. The caption identifies the scene as the captain\'s boat coming alongside the British cruiser to surrender, noting that Captain Spreckels is the figure in white facing the camera in the stern. There is a censor stamp reading \'Passed By The Censor - No. 159339\' and a date stamp of \'10 Sep 1941\'. A publication note reads \'Not To Be Published Before The Evening Papers On Wednesday, September 10th.\'

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