RAID ON CONVOY.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 December 1917, Page 2

RAID ON CONVOY.

WHOLE FLEET SUNK. rAUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION] LONDON December 17. Sir E. Geddes in the House of Commons, stated that one British and five neutral merchantment ,en route to Norway were attacked on the 12th, Six were sunk and one destroyer and four armed, .brawlers escorting wefc-o ialso sunk.

Six F. Geddes said the convoy bound from Scotland aggregated 8000 tons. It was protected by an antisubmarine escort consisting of two destroyers tile Partridge and Pellow, and four armed trawlers. For some unexplained reason tho force sent by the Com-niander-in-Chief to secure the convoy against attack by surface vessels did not reach the scene of action in time to prevent the convoy’s destruction. A second convoy, which was also being covered, was not attacked. Admiral Sturdee i s presiding at an enquiry into the circumstances. Tbe Partridge sighted four enemy destroyers about 11.45. a.m. on the 12th., and the Pellow and Partridge engaged the enemy, while -the convoy scattered. Shortly after the engagement began the Pollew observed that the Partridge was heavily hit. Aliittle later she saw an explosion, and the vessel sank. About this time the Pellew was holed on the waterline the engine-room was filled with steam and the engines partially disabled, but- she safely reached port.

The enemy then attacked the convoy, and six merchantmen and four armed trawlers were sunk.

Eighty-six Scandinavians, two whereof were woman and ten British survivors were rescued by the four destroyers dispatched at full speed from the cruiser squadron which was hastening to the scene. Other survivors reached Norway in their own boats. . One trawler crew was saved in their own boat

Tho Pellow had one officer and three men killed and two seriously injured.

A report from Kiel states that three officers and twenty-one of the Partridge’s crew, and twenty-six of the crews of the trawlers arrived there. Ten of these were wounded . >