FIGHTING THE U-BOATS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 90, 9 January 1918, Page 5

FIGHTING THE U-BOATS

SUCCESSFUL MEASURES ADOPTED

LOSSES OF SUPPLY SHIPS

REDUCED

Paris, January 7.

Tbo Ministry of Marine has published diagrams showing the losses of Allied merchantmen owing to submarine attack. Sinco June, the measures which were taken after the serious crisis which culminated in April, 1917, have so reduced tho losses that the situation in December, 1917, was better than in December, 1916. .The losses of supply ships havo,been reduced to l.'l per cent., this result being especially duo to convoying. Tho results of tho destruction of enemy submarines are also encouraging. Tho losses based on certainties have steadily increased since the end of Septomber, 1916, and in tho last quarter of 1917 were nine times greater than in the corresponding period of 1916. The decrease of losses by submarine attack is due not to tho reduction of the floating tonnage, but to the new measures adopted. —lleuier. NEWBRITISHIiEFIELDHAID

FOR THE PROTECTION OF MER-

CHANTMEN. (Rec. January 9, 0.50 a.m.)

London, January 7. Lloyd's announce that two new British minefields, for the protection of merchantmen against submarines, have been laid, covering practically the whole sea area between tho Belgian coast, Dover, and Folkestone. There . )s a British mine area off the coast of Jutland and the German seaboard, and ulso off England.—Reuter. BRITISH DESTROYER LOST TORPEDOED IN THE MEDI- ' TERRANEAN. (Rec. January 8, 11,10 p.m.) London, January 7. The Admiralty reports: "A'British destroyer has been torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean. Ten men were / lost—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. \ ,

AMERICAN STEAMER TORPEDOED. New York, January 7. The American steamer Harry Luckenbacli (2798 tons) has been torpedoed. Eight lives were lost.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn,.