THE SCUTTLED FLEET

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 231, 24 June 1919, Page 5

THE SCUTTLED FLEET

ALL THE BIG SHIPS SUNK EXCEPT ONE NO BRITISH GUARDS ON THE SHIPS tj By Telegraph-Press Aesociatlon-Copyrlrht London, Juno 22. The Admiralty lias announced that, according to latest reports from Scapa Flow, nil tlio interned German battleships and battle-cruisers were smile, except the Baden. Five light cruisers were sunk, and three beached. The local lugs beached eighteen of the destroyers, and lour are still afloat. A German rearadmiral and most of the Germans from the ships sunk are in custody aboard British warships. In accordance with the tei'mS of the armistice the German ships were interned With skeleton 'German crews as caretakers. There were no British guards aboard.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. STORY OF THE "COUP" (Rec. June 24, 1.20 a.m.) London, Juuo 22. The Scapa Flow "coup" was carried out at noon, when many of the British ships had put to tea iov exercise. • '1 he Germans interpreted that " lie watch had been somewhat relaxed. After the German Ensign bad been run up, the crews of the destroyers were seen leaving in small boats, which had been moored astern. When the British vessels wero ordered to fire, (he Germans who wero still on lioard jumped into the sea. Our craft picked up a number. Steps wcrf taken to intercept the swimmers, and none were allowed to land. All were sent aboard the Imperious, the Victorious, and other ships. Admiral von Router reached ilouton early, and asked tho men at the aviation station to rescue the German sailors from the water. Some of the destroyers wore beached at Fara, two light cruisers in Swaabister Bay, and one olt Cava Island. One of tho sunken battleships wnn discerned from the' [shore, bottom upwards. Tho battle-cruiser Hindenburg sank whilst being towed to the shore. Her funnels and masts are visible. The Emden was beached. One cruiser was saved simply by being cast adrift and allowing tho wind to drft-e her ashore—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ""