THE BARRAGE.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 September 1917, Page 2

THE BARRAGE.

guarding the channel,

A correspondent interestingly describes the. “Barrage,” the line of obstructions Btretched on great steel buoys across the eastern entrance to the Channel. “A whole fleet of naval shipping is constantly engaged in maintaining and patrolling ithe Great Barrier,” says tho American writer. “Its existence is» no secret to the Germans, for they are constantly sending over aeroplanes to chart the buoys and mark any changes that may have been made since their last inspection.

And changes are being constantly made. Here and there along the line are secret openings through wfiich naval pilots may guide legitimate craft on their way, but these openings through which naval pilots may guide legitimate craft on their way, but these openings are frequently altered, and not oven the aeroplane eyo of the German can tell which buoy marks safe passage and which marks destruction. If his mine-laying submarines wish to enter the Channel they must take their chances. They must cross submerged, for the patrol boats are on constant duty, and if they escape the traps while submerged it can only be said another miracle has happened. Such miracles seldom happen. Sometime twice a week, sometimes oftener, explosions are heard at night from the Great Barrier, indicating that ‘something’ has touched off a group of mines. Immediately the patrols hurry off in the direction of the explosion. What they find is a well-kept secret.

Lately the Gorman' tried a new scheme to break the Barrier. They sent over three seaplanes with orders to descend low over the Great Barrier at any risk and .shoot their machine guns into the buoys, thus sinking them. But the patrol boats were on band and two of the seaplanes nover returned to their German homo.”