NAVAL CUNNING IN THE DARDANELLES

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2597, 20 October 1915, Page 5

NAVAL CUNNING IN THE DARDANELLES

HOW WE FRUSTRATED THE SUBMARINES QUEER SHIPS OFF THE STRAITS Br Telegraph—Press Aseociation—Gopyrichi London, October 18. Mr. Ashmead Bartlett, in the "Daily Telegraph/' 1 describes the Navy's efficient transformation of the Dardanelles fleet. "When the risk of losing valuable warships became over-great, it was obvious that unless we carried the straits by a coup de main our fleet would bo 11 n a bio to remain indefinitely on our coast, becauso hostile submarines were certain to come. For three weeks after tbe first landing the fleet was left in peace. Then troublo began. Humour rippled down the Mediterranean from Gibraltar, Malta, Matapan, and Smyrna, and the mighty Queen Elizaboth left for tbe North Sea. Then, after the Triumph and Majestic wero sunk, the fleet retired to sboltered harbours, protected by booms and nets. The Turks exulted, and issued the famous manifesto to tha Allied troops declaring that tho flee* had deserted them, and offering then a welcome to Constantinople. Submarine-Proof Craft. "But tliey forgot the old maxim, thai the Anglo-Saxon race is always surprised, but never beaten. AVe wera never ready, but tho marvellous talent for impiovmtion in the brains at Homo worked out a. scheme to recover the command of the Mediterranean, and designed craft for onrrying tbe guns of battleships without their vulnerability to submarine attack. More rumours rippled down tbe Mediterranean of strange craft sighted in the Levant. Tha first arrived in July, almost flush with' the water, carrying a 9.2 in. gun in tha bows and a Gin. gun astern. Another smaller one followed, carrying two brand new 6in. guns, 'the same as tho "Lizzio's,"' as the crew said. The Turks were probably amused after comparing it to the Queen Elizabeth. But they sang a different tune* when they found this baby threw a hundred p'ounda high explosive shell twelve miles. The next arrival was a sensation, both to the enemy and the Allies. Coming of the Big-Cun Monitor. "An amazing-looking object wobbled into Kephalos Harbour, apparently round-shaped, with huge tripod across the centre of the deck. With great difficulty, and steering vilely, she entered tho crowded harbour. Thousands 'of eyes were rivetted on her. Her like had hot' been seen before. Then tbe crew began to 'bathe'; in fact, they seemed to possess the power to walk tile water. "We set off in boats to investigate, and found that below tho surface the 6ides bulge out for ten feet, and. then: curve under, forming a platform awash. In this bulge is provision for tbe do. feat of tlie submarine. If a torpedc strikes it, it will explode, amid q variety of substances which one mustn'i mention, and the hull, escapes. These huge monitors carry two Win. guns, and anti-aircraffc guns. Their speed is slow, but then development, is only in its infancy. "The monitors soon settled down toi work, and the Turks and Huns realised that wo were regaining tho command of tho eea. Later the cruisers Endymion and Theseus arrived. They also feared no submarines, for they wero protected by 'waistbelts' hung at-their sides by stanchions ®nd wire ropes. . "The big monitors are a c;reat success. The new fleet clayed an important part in tho Suvla Bay landing, covering tha advance at Arizac, Suvla, and Cape Helles.' The rapidity of the transformation of the fleet- wns marvellous, and gives nn insight into the oxtent of the British maritime resources, and tho ability of tho Navy to meet a new and sudden situation."

THE BLOCKADE OF THE BALTIC OUR SUBMARINE EXPLOITS ("Timos" and Sydney "Sun" Services.)' London, October 18. The "Daily Mail"'says: "The Germans tire realising in tho Baltic tlio weaning of a real blockade.' Its navy is now boxed lip in ports, behind nets, hawgors, and - mines. The British achievements are remarkablo because tho submarines to reach tho Baltic must pass through a narrow, shallow strait obstructed at its southern end by mines, Zeppelins are constantly on the watch,ynt tho Navy is equal to the task of showing who commands the sea. As Ormany depends upon Sweden for iron ore for fino steel, the submarine action is affecting her output of munitions." TRANSPORT SMS A GERMAN SUBMARINE AN INCIDENT IN THE DAR- . DANELLES. (Rec. October 19, 10.55 p.m.)' Sydney, October 19. A transport has arrived with another batch of wounded. .An officer on board stated that in August last, while cn route from Alexandria to Lemnos, they encountered and sank one of tho enemy's submarines. PRIVATE YACHTS DESIGNS ON~BRITISH OIL FUEL STEAMERS Washington, October 18. British Secret Sorvico agents liavo found that numbers of private yachts have boon fitted out in American ports to attack Moxican oil stoamcrs carrying oil fuol to tho Allies. Tho German sailors missing from the Kronprinz Wilhelm are believed to hava joined similar forays. Tho American schooner Academy hat besn.detaiiicd at Bogota under suspici. ous oiroumstanccs. y CONTINUED AND STEADFAST CO-OPERATION BRITAIN'S ASSURANCE TO FRANCE Br Telegraph—Press Ass-x-intinn—OooyTizht London,' October 18. Replying to a, "cordial message from 51. Vivi.mi (tho French' Premier), following the French Cabinet, changes, assuring Britain of France's unchanged policy, Sir Edward Grey (British Foreign Minister) telegraphed his assurance of .Britain's continued steadfast co-operation, which had been strengthened by the events of the past year, combined with the heroism of the A'ngloI French troops who were fighting side b* side in the same great cause. AUTHOR OF THE GAS WAR PROPOSED BY' THE CROWN PRINCE. By Tolcgraph—Press Association—Oopyrlirhi Petrograd, October IS. Tho "Retch" says that the German Crown Prince and Field-Marshal von Hindenburg initiated tho gas warfare. The Crowii Prince said that with gas lie could dislodge the Allies oil tho Western front. The majority of tho generals dissented, but von Hindenburg supported the proposal, which was .adapted, '' • ..