Virtual Discovery #36 - Prize Courts and Merchant Marine Internment

In August 1914, in accordance with international convention, upon declaration of war, enemy vessels and cargo which were captured in port or at sea were processed through the courts of the captor's country. A "Prize Court" was especially constituted for this purpose, deciding questions of maritime capture in time of war including: whether the capture was lawful; the ownership of the vessel; whether the cargo was "neutral" or "enemy"; and what should be done with it. Prize Courts became immediately relevant in Fremantle as soon as notification was received in Australia on 5 August that the British Empire was at war with the German Reich. The Norddeutsher Lloyd ship Greifswald arrived in Fremantle Harbour on 5 August war was declared and was detained by naval authorities. The liner Neumunsterwas captured off Fremantle on 16 August 1914. ‘and the Norddeutscher Lloyd steamerThuringen was seized off Rottnest on 27 August 1914.