END OF GRAF SPEE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20123, 18 December 1939, Page 6

END OF GRAF SPEE

SCUTTLED BY NAZI CAPTAIN UNABLE TO RUN THE BLOCKADE PLAN CONFIRMED BY GERMAN LEGATION EXPLOSION OFF COAST OF URUGUAY THOUGHT WAITING FOR FUEL VESSEL (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Peed. Dee. IS. 2 p.ni.) NEW YORK, Dee. 17. The Montevideo correspondent of the Associated Press ol r .America says that the Herman “’pocket lutltleship” Oral’ von Spec, was scuttled and was sinking at 7.55 p.m. An explosion occurred in the munition stores. The ship immediately caught fire and then began to sink. The National Broadcasting Company says an unconfirmed report states that many were killed. Earlier it had been reported that the Graf von Spec had raised her anchors and after moving up the River Plate, apparently towards Buenos Aires, swung about suddenly and at ii p.m. headed towards the open sea. 11 was reported by the .Montevideo semi-official newspaper El Pueblo that the commander of the Graf von Spec, Captain Jlans Langsdorff, said: “If I cannot run the blockade. I will sink die ship at S p.m.” The Montevideo correspondent, of the New York Times says tlt at a member of the German Legation confirmed that it whs planned to sink the Graf von Spec at 8 p.m.

The National Broadcasting Company announced that the Oral' von Spec was scuttled five miles off: the coasl. The Graf von Spec paused outside the harbour limits and lay three miles ofi' the shore inside the regular Buenos Aires ship lanes. Pilots watching thought she was awaiting the Tacoma to refuel. No indication was given from her position whether she was going to sea or to Buenos Aires,