WAR INCIDENTS ON THE HIGH SEAS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2313, 21 November 1914, Page 7

WAR INCIDENTS ON THE HIGH SEAS

A RESOURCEFUL SKIPPER HOW HE SAVED HIS STEAMER London, November 19. The Admiralty commends the remarkable exploit of Captain D. 11. Bonnier in saving the Pacific Steam Navigation Company's steamer Ortega (8076 tons), from capture at the end of September. A cruiser of the Dresden class sighted the Ortega at the western entrance to the Straits >of Magellan. The Ortega's speed is fourteen knots and that of the cruiser at least twenty-one. Captain Kinnier called for volunteers to assist in stoking, and putting the Ortega at eighteen knots' speed, headed for Nelson's Strait. The cruiser kept firing her two heavy bow guns, without result, and the Ortega entered a strait where the cruiser did not dare to fojlow, as it is entirely uncharted, is : narrow'and tortuous, and bristliug with reefs. By sending boats ahead and sounding every yard, Captain Kinnier was able to reach Smyth's Channel unharmed. In addition to the vessel, he saved 300 French reservists who were aboard. AUXILIARY TRANSPORT MISSEL INTERNED. . ' (Rec. November 20, 8.50 p.m.) Santiago do Chile, November 19. The German steamer Karnak (Deutsche Dmpfsfahrts, Ges. Kosmos), used as an auxiliary transport, has been interned at tho'Chilean port of Antofagusta. ■ • ■

• SECRET WIRELESS STATIONS. (Rco. November 20, 11.20 p.m.) Washington, November 19. It is officially announced that the incident in Colombia connected with the wireless neutrality ordinance has ended.. The United States State Department refuses to announce the nature of the settlement with Britain and Franco, but it is unofficially stated that Colombia has informed Britain and Prance that no' infraction of the neutrality laws have or shall occur. [A message received ou November 13 read: It is definitely stated that the British Government's representations to the American Government concerning South Amerioan breaches of neutrality included the statement that the loss of the food Hope and the Monmouth was directly due to wireless information afforded the German cruisers through sympathisers ashore. The Chilean Ambaes'ador has assured Sir Cecil Spring Rice, British Ambassador, that Chile ie takinp; every step to close all suspected wireless stations. The Colombian and Ecuadorian Ministers denied that their Government had any cognisance of -the alleged unheutral acts.] 'AUSTRIAN STEAMER MINED.' (Rec. November 21, 0.15 a.m.) Rome, November 20. The 'Austrian steamer ' Josephine 'Assad was mined and sunk in ■ the Adriatic. Six of the crew were saved. 'A SUSPICIOUS TRAWLER. {Rec. November 21, 0.35 a.m.) ; Amsterdam, November 20. . 'A Dutch torpedo'er captured a trawler flying the German flag in Dutch waters. The trawler ig euspeoted of mine-laying. . . AN OCEAN SPIDER'. New York, November 19. > Passengers by the British merchantman Vandyke, which was captured by the German cruiser Karisruhej have arrived here. ,Thoy state that -the Karlsruhe waß constantly accompanied by four captured merchantmen. These ehips were spread over a large ocean area, giving notice to each other whenever a prize, appeared) then the Karlsruhe steamed up and demanded the surrender of the enemy's vessels LOSS OF THE OCEANIC DUE TO NEGLIGENCE. London, November 19.

Lieutenant David Blair, navigating officer of the transport Oceanio (lost off the Shetland Islands), was found guilty of negligently stranding the ship. (Heo. November 21, 1.10 a.m.)'' London, November 20. Lieutenant Blair , lias been found guilty of negligently stranding the Oceanio and reprimanded. The trial of Commander Henry Smith on a similar charge has begun.

. BRITISH STI3AJIER MISSING. ' Londlon, November 19. The British steamer Beethoven (3752 tons, Orpheue Shipping Company) bound from Newcastle to L Valparaiso, has been posted missing. SYDNEY'S CASUALTIES IN EMDEN FIGHT. Melbourne, November 20. The commander cf the cruiser Sydney reports that one officer, seven seamen, and one boy ( belonging to tho cruiser, sent to hospital at Colombo, arc doing well. I CONTROL Oil , THE PACIFIC. Sydney, November 20. The 'Daily Telegraph," commenting on the local navy question, says: "If Canada, Australia, and New Zealand could arrange to co-operate with a few British vessels, though thoy. could not hops to control tho Pacific, they should certainly have eQmethjHj; to say r.osard-