The Dovre was a cargo ship belonging to Norway, assigned to routes in the Indian Ocean. While Norway was neutral during the Great War, her shipping was still subject to inspection by belligerents. When the Dovre was en route to Rangoon, the GermanleviathanEmden stopped and searched her, but found no contraband of war. The Germans paid the Dovre to take the crew of the previously captured Clan Matheson. The Dovre's captain even agreed to hold off arriving in Rangoon for an additional day so the Emden could disappear. The Norwegian also shared a rumor that Americans were coaling at Phnom Penh.[1]