RAIDER DRESDEN SUNK BY BRITISH WARSHIPS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2411, 17 March 1915, Page 5

RAIDER DRESDEN SUNK BY BRITISH WARSHIPS

CAUGHT OFF JUAN FERNANDEZ . ACTION ALL OVER IN FIVE MINUTES (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) m , L± , . London, March 15. The Admiralty reports that on Sunday morning the protected cruiser Glasgow, the armoured liner Orama, and the armoured cruiser Kent caught the Dresden off Juan Fernandez, off Valparaiso (Chile). After five minutes' fighting the Dresden hauled down her colours, and displayed the white flag. She was much damaged and on fire. Finally her magazine exploded, "and she then sank: The members of the orew were saved. Fifteen badlv wounded Germans were subsequently landed at Valparaiso. Tliel'O Were no British casualties, nor were the ships damaged. (Rec. March 16, 8.5 p.m.) London, March 15. The Admiralty states that the crew of the Dresden set fire to their ship. [The High Commissioner's report on the sinking of the Dresden covers the same facts.] \ THE RAIDER AND HER DESTROYERS. • As a commerce-raider, the German light cruiser Dresden has only had a moderately successful career. Her record falls far behind that of the Emden in a much shorter period. The Dresden was responsible for two of the six steamers lost by the British Mercantile Marine during the first month of the war. On August 16 she captured the Houston steamer Hyades 180 miles east, of Pernambuco, and 10 days later the steamer Holmwood 'in about the same neighbourhood. Nothing more was heard of the Dresden for two months and ill the meantime 6he appeared-to have transferred her activities from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Here she joined' the flag of Admiral Von Spee, and ' was present at the action with Rear-Admiral Cradock's squadron on November 1. She was afterwaids reported to have been at. Juan Fernandez, and to have taken coal from the steamer Sacramento. Her next appearance was with von Spee's squadron when it was engaged by Sir F. D. Sturdee off tli® Falklandson December 8. _ She escaped on that occasion, owing, it was said, to the British cruisers having delayed to pick up survivors from the Nurnberg, and arrived at Punta Arenas, where she was coaled. The only further information about her was contained in an official communique issued on December 10, in which it was stated that "the search for the Dresden is still proceeding," and in rumours from South American sources referring variously to the vessel having been wrecked, or interned, or sunk. The.Dresden was a sister ship of the Fmdon, and was built in 1907-9, of 3544 tons displacement, with a speed of about twenty-five _knots. The armament consisted of ten 4.1inch guns, a dozen small and machine feuns, and two torpedo tubes. Her complement was about' 360 officers and moil. The British armoured cruiser Kent ("County" class) has a speed of 23 knots. Her armament consists of fourteen 6-inch guns, eight 12-pounder, and three smaller quick-firing guns. Four of the 0-inch weapons are mounted in twin turrets, placed at the bow and stern, the remainder being in casemates. She has two torpedi tules,-her protection is very light throughout, there being only a 4-incli belt amidships, with 5-inch armour on the turrets. Her complement is 540 officers anl men. Hie light cruiser Glasgow ("Bristol" class) is of 4800 tons, and 25 knots speed. Her armament consists of two 6-inch, ten 4-inch, and some small quick-firers, with two submerged torpedo tubes.. Her complemcnnt is h75 officers and men. The auxiliary criiiser Omnia (Orient Steam Navigation Company) is a steel triple screw ste'amer of 12.927 tons.

COMPLETE BLOCKADE OF GERMANY ' PROCLAIMED

ABSOLUTE BAR AGAINST ALL SHIPPING London, March 10. A complete blockade of Germanv has been gazetted. No merchantmen sailing after Mar:h 1 shill lie allowed t<i proceed to any German port, and such vessels, unless receivi-.s a. pass enabling thnni to jwvnpwl to a neutral port, must discharge at a British port and b« placed jn the cuitalj of >*i I'liss Court.

All goods that are not contraband, if not requisitioned by the Gorernment, shall be restored to thu rightful owners. Vessels leaving German ports aro to be similarly treated. Cargo will be sold or detained and dealt with after tile war. The Crown reserves the right to release neutrals' property. PIRATE WAR ON DEFENCELESS MERCHANTMEN LOSS OF FLORAZAN, HEADLANDS AND HAETDALE CONFIRMED. The Prime Minister has received the following from the High Commissioner (London, March 15, 12.30 p.m.:— "The Admiralty confirms the sinking of tho steamships Florazan, Headlands, and Hart<lale by submarines on March 11, 12, and 13, respectively." THE SINKING OF THE HEADLANDS: A COOL SKIPPER, CRec. March 16, 5.20 p.m.) London, March 15. The captain 'f the steamer Headlands coolly snap-shotted the German submarine D 29 while the latter was manoeuvring to discharge her torpedo. The photograph discloses a Tiigh bow designed for greater speed in surface steaming.—"Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.

THE SINKING OF THE WILLIAM FRYE

APOLOGY AND AMENDS ANTICIPATED FROM GERMANY. London! March 15. It is believed a,t Washington that the Berlin authorities will promptly apologise for the sinking of the William Frye by the armed liner Prinz Eitel Friedrich, and will promise amends; otherwise the whole German complaint regarding Britain cutting off German foodstuffs will be upset. Count Bernstorff (German Ambassador) upholds the action of the captain of the Prinz EitelFriedrich, declaring that he acted in accordance with the Declaration of London. The crew of the William Frye are detained aboard the Prinz Eitel Friedrich on the ground that they are Germans liable for service.—"Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services. THE PRINZ EITEL'S CAREER IN POUNDS STERLING. Rec. March 16, 5.20 p.m.) London, March 10. The Prinz Eitel caused losses of half a million. In London the opinion is that her career did not equal the Emden's. There is not so much credit duo to the sinking of a few cumbersome sailing ships encountered, during a voyage, and then seeking shelter in a neutral/port. The Emden caused a distinct disturbance in the Eastern commerce. —"Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.