ON THE SEAS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16419, 13 January 1919, Page 7

ON THE SEAS.

MINE-LAYING FLOTILLAS. TRIBUTE TO SERVICES. (By Cable.—Press Association.— Copyright) (Australian and N.£. Cable Association.) LONDON, January 9. Sir Eric Geddes, in a speech to wounded soldiers at Oatlands Surrev, described the men of the —Utn Mine-laving Flotiila as among the best and pluckicst in the Navy. They proceeded nightly through Gorman minefields for 30 miles off Heligoland, to discover channels through which, raiders could pass and lay mines. Sir Eric Geddes added that upwards of 100 Gorman boats in the first half of tho year 191S were caught in those trap mines. Six German outpost boats, leaving the bight on one occasion, noticed four of the flotilla entering. Our boats, by a subterfuge, got inside and laid mines, and on tho way home mopped up all six of tho enemy boats and took the crews prisoner. Barrage mines across the Channel below Ostend trapped 17 submarines in one month. STEAMER MINED. NEW YORK. January 10. The steamer Northumbria (4215 tons), has been mined. Most of tho crew were lost. DESTROYER SATE. LONDON. January 10. Six Australian destroyers from Malta became separated in a storm off the Spanish const. All are now snfe in port. The report that the Parramatta had beon disabled off Ferrol was unfounded. LINER~SINKING. (Australian and N.Z. Cabl® Association.) January 12th. 5.5 p.m.) HALIFAX, January 11. The steamer Castalia (R396 tons) has sent a wireloss mesage stating that she is sinking eouth of Cape Canso. Steamers are rushing to her assistance. AMERICAN MERCHANT FLEET. (Received January 12th, 5.5 p.m.) NEW YORK, January 10. The Washington corrospondent of tho "New York Times" says that tho Shipping Board officials have denied the truth of the report that tho proposed purchase of International Mercantile Marine liners by the United States Government has been abandoned.