SEA FIGHT OFF THE BERMUDAS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2692, 11 February 1916, Page 5

SEA FIGHT OFF THE BERMUDAS

AN AMERICAN REPORT H.M.S. DRAKE CAPTURES A CRUISER By I'elejraDh-Fresa Associa'tton-ConyrtslU New York, February 9. It is reported here that the British cruiser Drake captured the German cruiser Boon after a three hours' fight off Bermuda. Two merchantmen are reported to have been seized. The British Embassy is unable to verify the report. Private advices from Bermuda appear" ing in the "New York Globe" circumstantially recount that Captain Seagrave, commanding the Drake, announced his intention when about to attack the Roon of avenging Admiral Cradock, with whom he formerly served. The British lost eighteen men, but captured 32 officers and 719 men aboard the ylloon and the two accompanying merchantmen. [The armoured cruiser Roon (9350 tons) is armed with four 8.2-inch, ten 0.9-in., and fourteen 3.4-in. guns, and has a speed of 21 knots. The Drake is an armoured cruiser of 14,100 tons and 23 knots, carrying two 9.2-in., sisteen 6-in. and fourteen 3-in. guns, and armoured with plate of 6 inches and less. A merchant steame- of tlhe same name (8174 tons), lately belonging to the Norddeutscher Lloyd Company's fleet, was some time ago interned at Batavia, Java. It was rumoured, however, that she had escaped l . H.M.S. Drake is well known in New Zealand. She succeeded the Powerful as flagship on the Australian Station.] THE MYSTERIOUS RAIDER GERMAN-DUTCH STEAMER SUSPECTED. London, February 9. City shippers, discussing the Appam incident, point out tiliat a Dutch steamer that recently arrived in America took six months to cross the Atlantic. The steamer belongs to a Dutch firm, .believed to be under German controj. ' THE OAPTURER OF THE APPAM. London, February 9. A Berlin wireless message states that Lieut. Berg, who captured the Appam, is aged 39. He joined tilie Navy as an A.B. at the commencement of the war, and was promoted! lieutenant half a year ago. When he left his wife last year he said that she would not hear from'him I for a long 'time, but she was to have no fear. She did not hear of him till he reached the United States.