Ten Months in a German Raider: A prisoner of war aboard the Wolf

A seasoned sea captain sets out from San Francisco on a modest bark, confident in his crew’s skill and the promise of a smooth passage to Australia. Yet a sudden encounter with a German auxiliary cruiser turns the voyage into a desperate struggle for survival, and the captain finds himself thrust into the harsh reality of wartime captivity. As he and his family are taken aboard the infamous raider, the narrative captures the claustrophobic life of prisoners, the tense daily routines, and the stark contrast between the open ocean and the cramped, guarded decks of the enemy ship.

Through vivid recollections of storm‑tossed seas, fleeting moments of camaraderie among the captives, and the ever‑present threat of danger, the story offers an intimate portrait of resilience and ingenuity at sea. Listeners will be drawn into the captain’s keen observations of shipboard life, the cultural clash aboard the German vessel, and the quiet determination that fuels his hope for a return home.