[ Page 14 ] On the 16th of July, the "Wendover," loaded with 7,250 tons of coal was fired upon without the customary order to "stop your ship," she was set on fire, abandoned, and a "Thor" boarding party set off demolition charges. She subsequently turned turtle, then floated. 5,0 inch shells were needed to sink her. Four of the 40 crew members died as a result of this action.
The next day the Dutch "Tele," of 3,777 tons and carrying 5,451 tons of grain for Britain was overtaken and sunk. All 33 of her crew were transferred to "Thor."
In the short space of but 17 days "Thor" had struck, and sunk, 6 ships making up a total of 32, 501 tons, and had or board 194 prisoners. "The little ship is beginning to get crowded.
Three of the vessels sunk had been carrying grain no doubt desperately needed in the United Kingdom. "Thor" was indeed making her presence felt in her role of harrassing Allied commerce, and removing from the scene trained Merchant seamen.
On the fine clear morning of the 28th. of July, at a distance of 14 nautical miles, a large ship was sighted. It could be a cargo ship steaming at 6 knots, or, more ominously, an enemy Armed Merchant Cruiser. "Thor" went to action stations, increased speed to 17 knots, and altered course to investigate. She now turned to the South West, to be immediately followed by the ship in view. Kabler was convinced he had met a British Armed Merchant Cruiser.
He carried in his general orders, a segment indicating that he should always try to avoid any confrontation with an enemy Warship. He thus turned away seeking to escape at maximum speed but the British ship followed at a distance of about 10 miles. and chased them for another 2 hours. It was the "Alcantara," formerly a 22,000 tons plus Royal Mail liner. She proved to be the faster ship, and began to close the gap.
If he was to survive and escape, Kahler believed that he must damage the "Alcantara" by gun fire to slow her down.
Just before 1300 (1PM) "Thor" showed her true identity, and reduced speed to I5 knots; at top speed, heavy vibration made it impossible for both the gun layers and range finder personnel to work accurately. "Thor" turned across the bows of "Alcantara" and at a range of 7 miles let loose a 4 gun broadside.
The Armed Merchant Cruiser immediately responded with return gun fire but the German Raider scored 3 hits, one in the engine room which promptly slowed down her opponent A British shell passed right through "Thor" without exploding, then splinters from a second hit wounded 4, killed 3, and put the starboard torpedo tubes out of action on a temporary basis.
"Alcantara" stopped and Kahler pondered whether to close her and deliver the "coup de grace," but decided that discretion was the better option. "To break off the the engagement and live to continue his mission appeared the action to take. It would he a tragic end to be sunk by a lucky shot from the British ship. Nonetheless Kahler had fired 284 of his outfit of 5.9 inch shells.
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