MINEFIELD IN AUSTRALIAN WATERS

Hokitika Guardian, 24 November 1917, Page 1

MINEFIELD IN AUSTRALIAN WATERS

DIFFICULT AND ‘ DANGEROUS WORK. Sydney, Nov 14 The naval authorities are still proceeding with the search for submerged mines off Gabo Island, off tlie southeastern corner of New South M ales. So far, several have been destro}'ed, and it is believed that the minefield contains many more. .Those mines which have been fished up were very powerful. Presumably they were anchored at a considerable depth below the surface, so as to catch big cargo steamers, like the Cumberland, and deep-draught warships. It is now' generally conceded that the Cumberland struck one of these mines, and the insurance on the ship and cargo has ‘been adjusted on that basis. An internal explosion was at first-reported on the Cumberland, hut subsequent investigation experts seemed to show that the explosion had been an external ong.

i The work of locating and destroying the mines is one of great difficulty and. danger. In the first place, it was never anticipated that mines would he sown in Commonwealth waters, and consequently there is no equipment for dealing with them as expeditiously as in the North Sea. There the trouble has been expected and guarded against. The minefield is situated about ten miles off Gabo Island, and the dangerous area has been forbidden to shipping. There is no danger to vessels which follow the route laid down by the naval authorities. The theory that the mines were laid by German agents working from the shore near Gabo Island is scouted. In the case of the raider Sea A dler, it was stated, the men’s discharges and the ship’s papers were so forged that a British cruiser was hoodwinked into Jetting the raider through the blockade, in the belief that she was a Norwegian trader. Tt is thought likely that the vessel which laid the mines got into these waters by similar devices.

The search for tlie mines is a thorough one, and the work tests the capacity of the ships and crews engaged. ' The loss of the Cumberland, the Matunga, and the Port Kombla in these waters recentl}' has put tlie naval authorities thoroughly on the alert against-hidden dangers and tlie utmost vigilance is being maintained.