The New York Times, 27th January 1908

SKIPPER DIES AT SEA

Capt. Kidwell of the Freighter Georgic a Victim of Pneumonia

The death and burial at sea of Capt. Thomas Kidwell of the White Star line freighter Georgic, was reported when that vessel arrived yesterday from Liverpool. The Captain died of pneumonia. The Georgic was brought to port by William Hug, her chief officer.

Capt. Kidwell was not in the best of health when the Georgic got under way on Jan. 11. His fellow-officers urged him to rest, but he declared his place was as navigator of his vessel, especially as there was promise of coming  storms. But on the second day out he was forced to take to his bed. He died the next day and was buried at sea.

Capt. Kidwell was an Englishman, about 45 years old, and had been in the service of the White Star line for years. Previous to his coming to the Georgic he was commander of the White Star liner Tropic, in the Australian trade. He lived, when ashore, in Liverpool, where his widow and children are now. The Georgic was due here on Saturday, but she was forced to lay to when nearing port to ride out the storm.

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On 10th December, 1916,  Georgic (1) was shelled and captured by the German merchant raider Möwe 500 miles (800 km) East-South-East of Cape Race. The British ship refused to stop when challenged and attempted to resist with its very basic armament.  It was an unequal struggle; Möwe was exceptionally well equipped with four 150mm guns (taken from a disused battleship) fitted forward, a 105mm gun with a firing arc of 180 degrees located aft and 4 torpedo tubes. In addition her holds could carry 500 mines. The experienced German crew had seen a lot of action and accounted for 38 British merchant ships in two long cruises.   

One person was killed in the exchange of gunfire. Georgic's cargo was 1,200 horses, oil and wheat. After some discussion about the fate of the horses, Georgic was sunk - taking the animals to a watery grave