499' 2"

1 geared steam turbine

58' 4"

N/A

28' 7" (depth)

1

8,196

N/A

11,960

13 knots

N/A

1

N/A

4

Huntsman is approached by the Admiral Graf Spee which is flying the French flag. When
within firing range the French flag was lowered and the Kriegsmarine flag was raised.
The Huntsman's Radio Officer, B. C. McCorry had already transmitted a signal giving her
position when they were ordered to stop and not to transmit any messages. Capt. Brown
complied with both orders as the Huntsman was unarmed.

Oberleutnant zur See Heinrich Schünemann and a prize crew boarded the ship and asked
for the ship's papers. According to the diary of Capt. Brown the papers had been thrown
over the side, however the KTB from the Admiral Graf Spee states that the papers were
captured. Kapitän zur See Hans Langsdorff of the Admiral Graf Spee orders his radio officer
to transmit a false signal, this signal is sent three times, (S-S-S-S and T-T-T-T) this indicates
the ship was under submarine attack by torpedo. He also sends a false longitude and latitude
and the name Newton Beech, this designed to confuse the British.

The 84 man crew was transferred from Huntsman to the Altmark.

Stores and personal effects are removed from the Huntsman and transferred to the Altmark.

The remaining useful items are removed from the Huntsman and the ship is scuttled using
charges.

Capt. Albert H. Brown*, J. H. Beazley (Assistant Engineer), F. Edwards (Chief Engineer),
B. C. McCorry (Radio Officer) and A. H. Thompson (Chief Engineer) were transferred to the
Admiral Graf Spee. All but Capt. Brown remained POW's on the Admiral Graf Spee until
released in Montevideo, Uruguay on Dec. 14, 1939 following the Battle of the River Plate.

Capt. Albert H. Brown was transferred back to the Altmark at his own request so he could
remain with his crew.
(Note Albert Horace Brown died of illness in 1943.)

The 302 crewmen from Newton Beech, Ashlea, Huntsman, Trevanion, Doric Star and Tairoa
being held prisoner on the Altmark were rescued by the HMS Cossack F-03 in Jøssingfjord,
Norway after the crew of the Cossack forced the Altmark to ground and boarded the ship.

King's Commendation for Brave Conduct

Builder's Data

Recent Updates