Yes. Many times this question comes. Many times I answered (in various
forums, ofcourse). Senbaga Raman Pillai has absolutely no connection with
SMS Emden (1) cruiser-cum war vessel ‘during’ the time of world war one and
during the time of attacking Madras. This was acknowledged by eminent
writer Thiru Narasiah in his foreward in my book SMS EMDEN 22-09-1914.
Earlier Thiru Narasiah in his ‘Madarasa Pattinam’ mentioned that Pillai was
a Doctor in that vessel. But when he got my book for writing a foreward, he
enquired various sources through Germal Counsel and got information that
Pillai was not in Emden during bombing of Madras. He has mentioned as it is
in foreword.
Senbaga Raman Pillai, no doubt, was a great Indian freedom fighter and a
friend of German.But Capt.Mukke, the vice-captain of SMS Emden (1) in his
biography has clearly said about the medical team of warship during
bombardment, and to till the end of her fateful day.
However he mentioned about a ‘Hindoo’ Passenger who boarded on the way near
colombo and gave them some important news about How Emden was spoken high
at British India. That Hindoo passenger also got down (sent along with
prisoners of captured vessel) after few days in between. There was one lady
got ‘lift’ in the vessel, and the Captain admitted being an ‘European’. She
presented chockalates, etc., to the inwards. She too got down at Sumithra
while Emden on its way to bombing Penang.
These are some references and to clear doubts.
Dhivakar
