A Venezuelan patrol craft was trying to seize a cruise liner. The Venezuelans were ordering the ship to follow them to a Venezuelan port for inspection. The German crew were polite, but they said they were going to a different destination and they couldn't obey the Venezuelan patrol Captain.
The Venezuelan patrol boat decided to Ram the ship because they were not reacting to warning shots to obey.
The Venezuelan Patrol ship did not realize the Resolute Cruise Liner had a reinforced bow for ice breaking. The Venezuelan ship cut off the German ship, became severely
damaged and sank.