SEAPLANE RAID ON GERMAN AIRSHIP STATION

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2731, 28 March 1916, Page 5

SEAPLANE RAID ON GERMAN AIRSHIP STATION

CRUISER AND DESTROYER FLEET CO-OPERATES ' TWO OF THE ENEMY'S PATROL SHIPS SUNK ■ The High Commissioner reports:— \ , London, March 26, 9.10 p.m. \ British seaplanes yesterday attacked the German airship sheds in SchleswigHolstein, east of the island of Sylt. The seaplanes were conveyed to a rendezvous close to the German coast by light cruisers and destroyers under Commodore Tyrwhitt. Three of the seaplanes are missing/ The torpedo-boat destroyers Medusa and Laverock collided, and it is feared that in the stormy weather which prevailed the Medusa may have been lost. No misgivings are felt for the safety of the crew. • Two German armed patrol vessels have been sunk_ by the destroyers. A( "detailed report has not yet been received, but the Danish Press indicate that the operations in) the enemy's waterb achieved their object. SENSATIONAL STORIES OF BIG NAVAL BATTLE By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Rec. March 27, 9.50 p.m.) ' Copenhagen, March 26. Esbjerg telegrams state that there was a great naval engagement three miles off Gratdy lightship at noon on Saturday. It is reported that five seaplanes bombed-Tondom. "■ Vessels report having seen five German cruisers and .twenty torpedo boats outside Esbjerg and Fano. Fishermen reported that twenty British torpedo' boats were near Blaavandslrak, in international waters. The captain of the 6teamer Cimbri fl , a t noon on Saturday saw a German flotilla going south. Suddenly ten British torpedo boats appeared; and attacked two German trawlers, which fled on fire towards Svlt. The German fortress at Sylt fired at the British ships and stopped the pursuit. A'violent cannonade was heard in the North Se"a between 7 and 8 p.m. on Saturday. (Rec. March 28, 0.15 a.m.) , _ . ' Copenhagen, March 27.' The British and German squadrons were sighted in thick snowy weather, and firing was heard for twenty minutes. The Germans rapidly retired behind the Island of Fano (off Jutland). Two ships Were disabled. Tho German squadron included several disguised merchantmen. Preliminary to the main action, twelve British destroyers on Friday got between four German destroyers and Heligoland, and by skilful manoeuvring compelled the Germans to steam northwards.-■ trawlers ajid other vessels carrying four sea planes, with two Zeppelins, joined tbem. It is reported that part of this flotilla was destroy- ' ' Vessels report passing on the high sea fifty German and eighty British ships. Heavy cannonading was again heard Esbjerg and Fano, and several aeroplanes were seen proceeding towards Wilhelmshaven and Emden.