LOSS OF A BRITISH ARMED MERCHANTMAN

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2409, 15 March 1915, Page 5

LOSS OF A BRITISH ARMED MERCHANTMAN

BRITISH ARMED MERCHANTMAN SUNK

'' » SUNK OFF SCOTTISH COA§T RESCUE STEAMER CHASED BY PIRATES GREAT-FRENCH VICTORY ENEMY DRIVEN FROM ALSATIAN HILLS BATTLE OF NEUVE CHAPELLE HOW THE BRITISH WON THE : DAY HOT WORK I THE DARDANELLES Thrilling reports from both land and sea are a feature of today's war news. The British auxiliary vessel Bayano—an armed liner—has been 6unk off the coast of Scotland while on patrol duty, and, it is feared, with heavy loss of life. The circumstances surrounding'the disaster'point to the work of a pirate submarine; a rescue steamer, searching for possible survivors, was chased by one of these for twenty minutes. The Great Western Railway' Company's steamer, the Great Sonthern, had a lucky escape from destruction, ignoring the disttess signals of a decoy eteamer which was apparently acting in Concert with a submarine ■ pirate. In the land theatres, great events have added lustre to the armies of the Allies. The French Eastern Army has inflicted a sanguinary defeat on the enemy in Alsace, and gained command of • • heights dominating-country of great tactical importance. There is a truly thrilling account of the British victory at the battle of Neuva Chapelle. The details of the action show that the Germans were 'completely, out-generalled and demoralised.; their losses were severe, and at present a big' artillery duel is in progress for the ' mastery of the ground, which the British are holding with a tenacious - grip. ' This battle has evoked from Sir John French a generous tribute to the fighting qualities of the British troops. Events are developing in: West Flanders, and right along the ;Yser line the enemy, is massing large reinforcements. Progress in the Champagne-Argonne district is being maintained. In the Eastern theatre there are indications of a gigantic struggle in the vicinity of Prasnysz, where armies of half-a-million men in strength are facing each other; The Germane are commencing a fresh offensive from the Eastern frontier of Eaßt Prussia. In Galicia there has bera sharp fighting, and the Russians, by a flank ''attack, have capturedLupkow and the height dominating the Pass. Late news conveys details of further operations in the Dardanelles, • ■ where our battleships have been engaged in the zone of fire, under a perfect hail of shells from the Turkish guns.

MANY LIVES LOST PASSENGER STEAMER'S LUCKY ESCAPE (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) • (Rec. March 14, 4 p.m.) „ London, March 13. The Admiralty auxiliary cruiser Bayano has been sunk off the West Coast. She was probably torpedoed. . . ~ ~ ~ ' Twenty-five of the crew were saved, but 194 are missing, including the commander and thirteen officers. The Bteamer Castlereagh passed wreckage and bodies with life-belts on Thursday .morning.- She searched for survivors but a, submarine chased her for twenty minutes. _ Thp survivors state that it was pitch dark when the Bayano was struck off Corsewall Point. She sank in a fev minutes. Many of the crew were asleep. There was no panic. Everyone went to his post. Some of the boats were cut away, but-were smashed in thp descent to the water. Captain Carr said to a sailor who was giving out life-belts: "Good lad save yourself." He stood on the- bridge, cool and collected, as the ship went down. lie bulk of the men were drawn into the vortex. The steamer Balmerino (419 tons) rescued eighteen of the survivors, who were exhausted after their four hours' struggle in the water. Some had been clinging to an upturned boat, and others to rafts. The patrol ship Tara, rescued eight. The High Commissioner's report, a more condensed message, adds the faot that the Bayano was engaged on -patrol duty) and that the circumstances point to the conclusion that she was sunk by an enemy's torpedo. The Bayano was a vessel of 5948 tons gross, four decks, fitted with wireless and submarine signalling apparatus. She was built at Glasgow in 1913, for Elders and Fyffes, Ltd.. and steamed 14 knots. The scene of the disaster, Corsewall Point, is a headland in' Scotland, in Wigtounshire, 12 miles north or with a lighthouse visible for 16 miles.

A NEW TRICK: DECOY STEAMER "IN DISTRESS" '

RAILWAY PASSENGER BOAT'S ESCAPE. The Great Western Railway Company's passenger boat, the Great Southern (1225 tons), bound from Rosslare to Fishguard, noticed a two-funnelled steamer endeavouring to head her oft. The steamer then flew signals of distress Meanwhile, a German submarine appeared, but-the Great Southern escaped at high speed. The decoy steamer sailed away. , _ [The Great Western Railway Company s steamers ply*twice daily from Rosslaro (Ireland) to Fishguard (in Wales), a trip of 2} hours. Fishguard i 3 the landing port for the Irish.mail, and the Cunard steamers from New York land passengers before going on to Liverpool.]

ARMED YACHT V. SUBMARINE

• REPLY TO A GERMAN 'ALLEGATION. The Hi"h Commissioner reports:— • ° London, March 12, 5.40 p.m. 'Admiralty announcement: H/M.S. Vanduara, an auxiliary armed vessel, waged a German submarine iii the Irish Sea oil February 1. The German Government alleges that the Vanduara shoived no colours before firing. The commanding officer of tho Vanduara reported at the time: "I waiT flying no colours, but hoisted the white ensign before opening fire. As fire was opened at a rango of about three thousand yards, and lh« TTi-iih nltprpd her course' to bring her bows on the submarine, which submerged when two thousand yards RWi '14 id clear tJwf# b# IW l«rt|AwUW /«" the positive statement, on the part of offices of the jmbmwuw. l l

ENEMY'S LOSS IN PIRATE SUBMARINES

GERMAN NAVAL CIRCLES ADMIT ELEVEN. London, March 12. Tho "Daily Mail" says that advices from Copenhagen state that it is reported in German naval circles that eleven submarines have been lost since February 18 (the date upon which the Germans embarked upon their "paper blockade"). The loss of four is officially admitted, and seven have been missing for three weeks. . GERMANS BUSY BUILDING SUBMARINES. (Rec. March 15, 0.15 a.m.) Amsterdam, March 4. The Dutch newspaper "De Telegraaf" says that Reuter confirms a report that five hundred workmen are hurriedly building submarines at Antwerp.

EXPLOITS OF THE PRINZ EITEL FRIEDRICH

AMERICA INCENSED OVER THE WILLIAM FRYE INCIDENT. The names of the seven small, steamers which were previously reported as having been posted at Lloyd's, were those of ships sunk by, the Prince' Bit-el Friedrich. American newspapers of all classes savagely comment on the sinking of the William Frye as vandalism and piracy, and refer to the sublime impudence of the pirate entering an American port. „ (Rec. March 14. 5.5 p.m.) Washington, March 13. It has been officially established that the sailing ship William Frye (reported to have been sunk by the German armed liner Prinz Eitel Friedrioh), carried wheat only. The authorities state that the fact that the cargo was sold in transit to a British firm did not alter the necessity for the taking of -the ship to port for adjudication as a prize. The British view is that if the United States suffers foodstuffs bound from America to England to be sunk, she can hardly protest against the Allies' prohibition against Germany. , LOSSES TO BRITISH SHIPPING: "NOTHING SUPPRESSED." (Reo. March 13, 5.30 p.m.) London, March 13. Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr. Macnamara (Parliamentary Secretary to the Navy), said that every loss to the British mercantile marine had been published. Nothing had been suppressed—("Times" and Sydney "Sun" < Services.) (Rec. March 15, 0.15 a.m.) London, March 14. The Admiralty announces that from the beginning of the war up till February 7, _ seventy-three British merchantmen' have been sunk or captured,- of which eleven ,werc_ struck by mines, and eleven were torpedoed by submarines. Forty-six fishing vessels were captured or sunk. BRITAIN'S LIST OF "ABSOLUTE CONTRABAND." London, March 12. The "Gazette" announces the addition of the following items .to th® list of absolute contraband: Raw wool, wool tops and noils, woollen worsteds and yarns.

DRESDEN SINKS BRITISH STEAMER CONWAY CASTLE

KRONPRINZ WILHELM ALSO BUSY. (Rec. March 15, 0.10 a.m.) Santiago de Chile, March 14. _ The German cruiser Dresden has sunk the Conway Castle. The crow arrived at Valparaiso. Buenos Ayres, March 14. The Kronprinz Wilhelm has sunk the French steamer Guateloupe V>fir Fernando Norouha. ' CLOSE CALL FOR THE KARLSRUHE. (Rec. March 15, 0.15 a.m.) London, March 14. A released prisoner who was lately on board the raider Karlsruhe heard that when the Glasgow ceased chasing her she had only five tons of coal on .board. GERMANS SEIZE A NORWEGIAN STEAMER (Rec. March 14, 4 p.m.) .■ _ Copenhagen, March 14. 'A German cruiser in the Baltic seized the Norwegian steamer Bryssel (1329 tons), laden with oil, from America to Stockholm.' " The British had previously examined and released the, vessel,- satisfied that the destination of the cargo was genuine. ' V [Lloyd's Shipping List describes the iiationality of ihe Brys&el as Danish.] (Rec. March 15, 0.15 a.m.) Christians, March 14. The Swedish authorities have forced the Norwegian steamer Hela to unload a cargo of marrow oil destined for Lybeck.

VICTORIOUS ALLIES IN THE WEST

GERMANS ROUTED IN ALSACE ENEMY OUT-GENERALLED AT NEUVE CHAPELLE The Prime Minister received the following from the High Commissioner:—. London,' March 12. Paris reports:—"ln Belgium, two divisions of Belgians advanced at different points over from four to five hundred yards, notably in the. direction of Sehoobakke, south-east of Nieuport.." "East of Lombaertzyde we had taken a small German fort, hundred metres (125 yards), in front of the Allies' trenches." JkSkSfc'Sk' (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Rec. March 14, 4,i0 p.m.) Paris, March 13. Official.—"At the bend of the Y6er the Belgian Army has been strengthened in order to extend the results obtained on Thursday."-

THE BRITISH VICTORY AT NEUVE CHAPELLE

STIRRING 'ACCOUNT OF THE FIGHTING. (Rec. March 14, 4.15 p.m.) Paris, March 13. The British have continued their progress, .and have crossed a rivulet at Leycs, parallel to the road from Neuve Chapelle'to Gleurbaix (a distance of six miles), capturing several groups of houses which had been organised for defence. During the day a thousand prisoners were taken,-and the Germans lost several of their machine guns. ENEMY COMPLETELY SURPRISED AND DEMORALISED. (Rec. MaTch 14, 4 p.m.) Paris, March 13. The British success at Neuve Chapelle aroused enthusiasm. After several attempts had been made to dislodge the enemy from the village, the Allies resorted to turning movements. The French artillery on Tuesday night prepared the way for an advance, compelling the enemy to evacuate his first line of trenches. The German artillery was helpless, and the Germans, fearing a diversion, did not dare to diminish the immediate defences of the village. This lost them tho battle. British Yell from Thousands of Throats. The British on Wednesday morning impatiently awaited the word to advance, and then came a spontaneous yell from thousands of throats as the command was given. Overwhelming the surprised Germans, the British passed rapidly from trench to trench, sometimes rolling over each other in the mud. Tho Germans detected the manoeuvre too late, and hurled every available man to their front in a futile attempt to force a passage in the British line. The British fire paralysed the onrush, and most of the enemy surrendered without a struggle. , Victory Followed Up. The British completely surrounded the village, and profiting by the enemy's. disarray, advanced in the afternoon to the Pietre cross roads, sixteen hundred i yards from tho village. . ■ . The Germans, reinforced, vigorously counter-attacked, but did not gain an inoh They sustained heavy losses, and rapidly entrenched in a strong position in front of Aubers, from where many machine-guns opened a terrible fire, inflicting severe losses. ■ . Nevertheless, the British held a firm grip on the new position. An artillery combat is now-raging. The High Commissioner reports: — "East of Afmentieres the British have occupied tho hamlet of L'Epinette. In the section of Neuve Chapelle the progress of the British continued. After repulsing two strong counter-attacks the British gained part of tho Gorman lines, and took four hundred prisoners."-

FIELD-MARSHAL'S STORY OP THE BATTLE

SPLENDID SPIRIT 'ANIMATES THE ARMY. The High Commissioner reports:— London, March 12, 5.15 p.m. Sir John French reports: "The situation on our front between Armenlieros and La Bassee has been materially altered by successful initiative on the .part of the troops engaged. Shortly after 8 o'clock on, the mornina qf March 11.1, ttee tMHpa abeuiiltgd Mi SUffM" 'POT" tJßHifkeg ia tjje .liogti ghaßollQ» >

"Co-operation between all the artillery and infantry was very good, while the result in losses incurred was not great in proportion to tlie results achieved, The mutual support of the individual battalions afforded during the operations wa6 a marked feature of the attack. Our heavy artillery was a very effective part of the observed results, and prisoners' statements confirm the accuracy of our fire and the danuifjo caused. "Before noon wo had captured .the whole village of Neuve Chapelle, and the infantry proceeded to confirm and extend the local advantage. By dusk tho whole labyrinth of tranches on the front, of about four thousand yards, was in our hands, and we had established ourselves about twelve hundred yards beyond tho enemy's advanced trenches. A number of Gorman prisoners was captured and brought to headquarters -during the day—73o, probably move. "During March 11 the enemy repeated his efforts to recover the ground lost, but all his counter-attacks were repulsed with heavy loss. We continue to make steady progress. Hard fighting is still proceeding. The local initiative displayed by the troops daily is admirable, and says much for the spirit that animates the Army. Tlie success achieved on March 10 and 11 js a striking example of this spirit. "Further information received from general headquarters during the nights of March 11 and 12 and the early morning shows that several counterattacks were easily repulsed by the 4th Corps and an Indian corps t with heavy losses. Sixty prisoners were captured from the enemy in a night attack on the village of L'Epjnette, which was captured by the 3rd Corps, with slight losses. A fog prevailing now hinders operations." The following message was received from Sir John French on March 13:— "A little further progress was made to-day by the Seventh Division towards Aubers. Fighting has been very severe, and the enemy was strongly reinforced this morning opposite my right by at least two divisions. We have captured 612 prisoners, however, and there are more to come in. "Our aircraft have been very active, and the railway jxmctions at Dod and Douvai have fficn destroyed."

LARGE GERMAN FORCES HURRYING FORWARD

(Rec. March 14, 4 p.m >' Amsterdam, March 14. He German concentration towards Ypres and La Bassee continues. All the enemy's troops in Northern Flanders have been sent thither. The Germans have mounted heavy guns at Middclkerke, and are endeavouring to destroy the sluices. A strong German attack has opened south' of Dixmude.

GREAT FRENCH VICTORY IN ALSACE

GERMANS DRIVEN FROM THE HILLS Geneva, March 12. The French have'had a great victory, seizing the Reichacherkopf Hills (a spur of the Vosges to the west of Mulhausen) in Alsace. The French repeatedly repulsed violent counter-attacks at-.Reiohacherkopf, driving the enemy downhill with great slaughter. The High Commissioner reports:— "At Reichacherkopf the Allies repulsed a night attack, and advanced a: distance of two hundred 4 metres (250 yards)."

STEADY PROGRESS IN THE CHAMPAGNE DISTRICT

(Reo. March 14, 4,45 p.m.)' Paris, March 14. Official. —"We have continued to progress in the Champagne district, and have taken 150 prisoners, including six officers, north-east of Mesnil (between Reims and the Argonne), capturing several trenches." The High Commissioner reports: — _ _ "In the Champagne district on Thursday evening the 'Allies carried several trenches in front of a ridgo north-east of Mesnil, and made further progress on Friday. On tho heights of the Meuse parts of certain trenchcs were recaptured by the Allies."

SIGNS OF A GIGANTIC STRUGGLE

HUGE ARMIES NEAR PRASNYSZ A IMPORTANT SUCCESS IN THE CARPATHIANS _ Petrograd, March 12. The concentration of half a million men'on either'side near Prasnysz (south of Mlawa), indicates a gigantio struggle. (Rec. March 14, 4 p.m.) Petrograd, MarcH 14. Official. —"The Germans lave assumed the offensive in the Seyny region" (on the Grodno-Augustowow—Suwalki front, east of the East Prussian border). A communique states: "The Germans in the Pilica region (Central Poland), did not bring up new -troops. They advanced their "Una on. the open in front of our trenches, but the gunners were killed. Neither side was able to remove the guns."

FIGHTING IN THE CARPATHIANS

/ —— • LUPKOW CARRIED BY FLANK ATTACK. "(Rec. March 14, 4 p.m.) Petrograd, March 14. Official.—"We have annihilated parties of the enemy which crossed the river south of Gorlice (30 miles south-east of Tarnow, in Galicia), and'also took prisoner three companies of Austrians. ' "We carried Lupkow and Smolnik (on the San River between Lupkow and TJszov), and the surrounding heights by a flank attack, capturing four guns, seven Maxims, and four thousand prisoners. '"'The Cossacks exterminated three squadrons -of Prussian • Hussars at Ziezwiska, in Eastern Galicia." RUSSIA'S IRRESISTIBLE FORWARD MARCH. (Rec. March 14, 4 p.m.) i - i ' Petrograd, March 14. General Oba (of the Japanese Army, at present with the Russian Staff), in an interview, states that though partial German successes are always possible, he is convinced that when the Russian aggressive begins, it will sweep away the enemy.

BATTLESHIPS IN THE FIRE ZONE

PIERCE ORDEAL IN THE DARDANELLES (R«c. March 15, 0.15 a.m.) Paris, March 14. . 'Official.—Two British vessels bombarded Bulair (on the European side of the Straits, beyond the far end). Two battleships bombarded the light batteries commanding Morto Bay, at the entrance to the Dardanelles, to prevent repairs being effected. The French division of the fleet continues the operations.

Athens, March 14. The Allies have destroyed a bridge, near'the town of Dardanelles, which was used as a transport for artillery. The fire of the onemy's forts has improved, probably ■ owing, to German. gunners being stationed there. Six vessels-have reinforced the Allied squadron, which is bombarding the Smyrna forts. The Turks have evacuated the coastal villages and fled to the interior. The officers of the battleship Triumph relate that their ship for some time was under a tornado of shells. The Triumph was seventeen times in action, and fired two thousand rounds. She was hit fourteen times, and one funnel was riddled. A shell penetrated the turret, where were fifteen men, but only one was killed. ± ' . 1 When the landing parties blew up the forts huge pieces of wreckage were hurled.nearly across the Straits. , ■

ENEMY BANKS REMOVING THEIR BULLION. ; . Rome, March 15. The "Giornale d'ltalia" states that the Ottoman Bank, the . Deutsche Bank, and the Deutsche Orient Bank at Constantinople have removed their bullion to Broussa (in Asiatic Turkey).