NAVAL ENGAGEMENT IN THE NORTH SEA

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2730, 27 March 1916, Page 5

NAVAL ENGAGEMENT IN THE NORTH SEA

ENEMY RAIDER SUNK DISGUISED AS NORWEGIAN MERCHANT VESSEL London, March 25, 2.45 p.m. The High Commissioner reports: "An,engagement took place 011 February 29, in the North Sea, between the armed German raider Greif (1165 tons), disguised, as a Norwegian merchant vessel, and the British armed merchant cruiser Alcantara (15,300 tons). The engagement resulted in the loss of both vessels, the Greif by gunfire, and the Alcantara was apparently torpedoed. "Five German officers and 115 men were picked up, out of a complement believed to be over three hundred. British losses were five officers and 89 men. "During the whole engagement, _the enemy fired over " the Norwegian colours, which were painted on the side of the ship. "The news is now published,'because the Germans learnt of the loss of the Greif before she succeeded in passing oiir patrols."/ ' ' BRITISH CRUISER APPARENTLY TORPEDOED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Reo. March 26, 6.5 p.m.) London, March 25. The Press Bureau states that the Alcantara 6ank the Greif by gunfire and was herself apparently torpedoed. Five German officers and 115 men'were picked up and made prisoners. The Greif _ fired during the whole of the engagement over the Norwegian colours, which were painted on the ship's side The news of the engagement is now published because a German wireless message admits that the Greif was destroyed before passing tho RriKali patrols. The British and the Gcrmans'lßo lives. • ■ENEMY VESSEL' WAS A SISTER SHIP TO THE MOEWE. (Rec. March 26, 5.5 p.m.) , , . , Londort, March 25. The armed merchantman Alcantara engaged the German raider Greif in the North Sea on February 29. Both sank. The Germans lost a hundred and eighty and the British seventy-four. The Greif was a sister ship to the Mticwe, and was disguised as a, Norwegian. • ' A DETERMINED AND GRIM FIGHT. (Rec. March 26, 11 p.m.) mi n •» r u i /•, London, March 25. The Press Association says after the Greif was sunk British destroyers sank a German submarine,.and adds that the fight was apparently very determined and' grim. The raidef first appeared' as an innocent merchantman The Alcantara's gunnery was effective, and badly battered the Taider, though the raider had heavier guns and was speedier. > . • British destroyers saved all possible, German and British alike A fantastic -German official version of the fight says the Greif fought three British cruisers and one destroyer. The Greif torpedoed tho great fifteen thousand ton cruiser, and finally blew up herself.