ON THE SEAS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16150, 2 March 1918, Page 9

ON THE SEAS.

THE SUBMARINE MENACE. FRENCH AND ITALIAN REPORTS. .) (By Cable—Press Association —Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association.) (Router's -Telegrams.) y . LONDON, February 27. 11 The French report on the submarine e campaign during the week ended February 23rd gives the following figures, those in last week's report being given in parentheses:— Arrivals ... ... 91G (919) Sailings ... ... 901 (876) Sinkings— Under 1600 tons ... 1 (0) Unsuccessfully attacked 4 (3) The Italian report is as follows:— . Arrivals ... ••• 419 ( —) ' Sailings 338 (—) Sinkings ... ... 0 (2) Unsuccessfully attacked 4 ( —) MORE SPANISH VICTIMS. e (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) MADRID, February 28. The Spanish steamer Sardinero (2289 tons) was torpedoed north-westward of Casablanca on February 23rd. A French hydroplane discovered the crew, who were brought in by a patrol ship to Teneriffo. It is reported that tho Bilbao steamer Regui (2000 tons) has also been sunk. NEW NAVAL PROBLEM FOR THE ALLIES. NEW YORK, February 28. Mr Charles Grasty, writing to tho "New York Times" from Paris, says:— "The collapse of Russia frees the Ger- - man fleet in the Baltic. The consensus of opinion is that the optimism regardj ing the control of submarines was premature. Tho situation presents a fresh 8 naval probloiri for the Allies." r SINKING OF THE GLEN ART CASTLE. (Beater's Telegrams.) (Received March Ist, 7.50 p.m.) LONDON, February 28. The Glenart Castle was torpedoed within the area which Germany declare > ed to be a free zone, thus constituting, 5 apart from tho outrage, a further . breach of the German pledges not to . sink hospital ships outside certain clearly defined limits. * A HEAVY DEATH ROLL. (Australian and N.Z. Cxble Association.) (Reuter's Telegrams.) (Received March Ist, 9.50 p.m.) LONDON, February 28. The Admiralty reports:— "The sworn statements of two survivors of the Glenart Castle confirm i the report that she was sunk by a sub- ■ marine which was sfghted ten miles ■ befor e she was struck. "Tho ship was in r free area, t "There are 153 persons, including > eight nurses, missing." t FURTHER RESCUES ONLIKELY. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received March Ist, 11.20 p.m.) LONDON, February 28. Tho Glenart Castl© was a complo'ce blaze of light when she was torpedoad, there Being nol the lea3t excuse for i this latest German brutality, l Scores rushed on dock, mostly clad . only in shirts, trousers, and pyjamas, s Those rescued had terrible experiences whiles they were afloat in the heavy t sea. They worked in relays to keep _ 'the boats afloat by baling. a There is little hope of any further Burvivors. A search discovered only an enemy lifeboat, which' bore indications of having been occupied. 7 . THE OCEAN RAIDER. J THE WAIRUNA'S FATE. r (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, February 28. A representative of tho Australasian Press Association secured interviews with the passengers of the Igotz Mendi. Mr Thomas Rees, second officer of tho "Wairuiia, said: — "The vessel was going to San Francisco on March 21st, when aeroplanes suddenly stopped her south of Christ- , mas Island. Tho aeroplane had been ■j sent by the Wolf, which was lying at * ihe back of the island. The Wairuna's r crow of 42 were taken aboard the Wolf, and the "Wairuna was sunk." During the continuation of the cruise Mr Rees saw the Wolf sink nine ships, . of which some were neutrals. Two of the Wairuna's officers escaped one night when the Wolf was anchored n«ar Christmas Island. Subsequently 160 prisoners from sunk steamers were locked up for 28 days in the hold. They were only allowed fresh air for one hour daily. They suffered terribly in the tropical heat. 3 CREW TAKEN TO GERMANY. (SPECIAL TO "THE PRESS.") DUNEDIN, March 1. The Union Steam Ship Company liavo i received the following cable message regarding the Wairuna's crew:— T. E. Rees officer) and B. ' Donovan (chief cook; have landed at Skagen' (Denmark"'. The l-prrcindcr of the Wairuna's crew (numbering '»!) have bo en taken to Germany. All wellWill report in London as soon as possible. —(Sifiued; Reta.

1 he probabilities are that Rees and Donovan were put on the Tgotz Mendi, and the rest of the crew kept on the Wolf. IGOTZ MENDi BREAKING UP. (Australian and K.Z. Cable Association.) COPENHAGEN, February L'S. Danish fishers rescued thf> Germans from the Igots Mendi. They are now interneJ. The vessel is going to pieccs. SPANISH CAPTAIN TAKES POSSESSION. (Router's Telegrams.) (Received March 2nd, 1.35 a.m.) COPENHAGEN, February 28. After some discussion between the Danish, German, and Spanish authorities, the Igotz Mendi was declared Spanish property. The captain took possession and arranged for refloating the vessel. SHIPPING RISKS. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received March Ist, 7.50 p.m.) LONDON, Febriuuy 28. The Board of Trade has abolished flat rates and war risks, and is now charging premiums graded according to actual risks on the particular voyage. This will probably materially reduce the rates for short voyages between Eastern and distant ports, but is unlikely to affect the rate between England and Australia.