SHIPPING IN PERIL

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2237, 25 August 1914, Page 5

SHIPPING IN PERIL

GERMANS SCATTER:, MINES IN .. ;.!,;...;pRTH'SEA!. „ : ; 5 v ;; FOUR STEAMERS LOST v London, August 23.1 The Admiralty warns neutrals -thai! the Germans continue" to scatter mines indiscriminately. "..'This ,dolis':'iiot v con- . form to the conditions 'of; The''Hague Convention., .'The mines do not become hanhlcsi in a few hour's, and are not laid in connection with a definite naval scheme, but are scattered on : the chance of catching British, warships-, and* mor*' chant vessels." ' '-'-''. "'. .:'.'. Thb Press Bureau stated''that-' tho Danish .steamship Maryland, from fopbiihagen,'struck a mine on Friday night in the main trade, route, thirty-five miles off the land." ."". " ■ The Danish steamer Broberg saw the disaster, and launched boats, mit failed to find any of tho crow. Tho Broberg anchored for tho night, and recommenced the search in the morning, when! sho struck a mine and foundered. .'j Tho Brobbrg's crow were-saved, cepfc the engineer; and landed at Lowgj .stoft. - ■.''"•"■ ;: In addition to the Maryland and Broberg, two Dutch 'steamers "clearing for Swedish ports wore-blown up by, German mines in tho Gulf of Finland. The Admiralty warns neutrals at British, ports before entering t the North Sea, in order ,to ascertain the routes the Admiralty is keeping swept.The Admiralty adds that, though it re* ■ serves to itself tho utmost, liberty regarding retaliatory action against thia new form of warfare, it has not laid any mines during the present war. TWO MORE STEAMERS LOST, ANT) A THIRD.

(Rcc. August 24,, 9.45 p.m.) London, August 24. Lloyd's St. Petersburg agent reports ' that the Dutch steamers Houtdijk, 2336' tons, and Alice H., 3052 tons, sank after striking mines off Dogerprt.>, It is rumoured that a third steamer," eastward bound, also'sank. . ' ; MARYLAND'S GREW REACH •; ; ;• (Rec. Augiist 24, 9.45.'p.ni.) Ostcnd, August 24. The crew of the Maryland, which! struck a mine and saak, have arrived hero. '." ■'"'.''.- AN EXCITING VOYAGE . ACROSS I 'GULF OF CARPENTARIA'. Sydney, August'24l' : A party of, tourists, .who have returned from a trip to Java report an exciting voyage /across tho Gulf ,of ■ Carpentaria.. -"When'-the ship- reached-Port [Darwin the Captain was' informed .of tile presence'of two German cruisers. He decided to risk the return trip, and on the second night out sighted' a, cruiser .firing a rocket of distress. > The ' . , signals were, a ruse, but they failed in their purpose. Tho captain maintained v . a clear course. With lights out and pprtholeS'painted-black, the ehip-passed .. undetected eight miles from.'th'e.cru'iser;, arid arrived safely at Thursday Island, !