SUBMARINE WARFARE

Hokitika Guardian, 26 July 1918, Page 2

SUBMARINE WARFARE

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.— CORTSIOn’T.]

THE WORLD’S TONNAGE

A COMPARATIVE STATEMENT

LONDON, July 24

Conclusive proof of the diminution 1 of the U-boat- menace is afforded by tho Admiralty’s latest statement which shows the losses in merchant tonnage. It reveals the total losses of the world’s merchant- ships for the month of June at 275,629., gross tons’ comprising 161,062 British and 164,56" Allied and Neutral. These figures show a monthly drop in the world’s sinkings of 81,905 tons, compared with May; 37,786 tons, compared with April ; 125,834 tons compared with March. All. these months arc in this year, while compared with the month of June Hst year the world’s drop in sinkings is 437,092 tons.

Of purely British tonnage the drops'are 64,727 tons, compared with May;: 67,005 tons, compared with April; 63,--604 tons compared with March thisyear and 271,333 tons compared with June of last year. The losses of tho world’s tonnage, including marine risk, are lower for the month of June 1918, than for any month since September 1916. Comparing quarterly periods, the losses for the three months ending June are lower than in any quarter since the third quarter of 1916. The sailings exceed the high level of recent months. The total sailings for the quarter ending 30t.h June, amount to 7,430,368 gross tons, being considerably higher than for the two preceding quarters.

APPEAL FOR THE TRUTH

AMSTERDAM, July 24

Captaiu Persius in an article in tho “Berliner Tngebhitt” says that it is foolish to expect that the fantastichopes that submarines would starve* England, or roll her of tho mastery of the sea would be fulfilled. We must' tell the German people the truth as'only the truth will make them confident of reaching the goaf of peace, and ensuring the existence of the German Empire.

FRENCH LINER SUNK. LONDON, July 24. The Messageries Maritimea steamer Australian has been sunk. MORE SINKINGS. LONDON July 24. U-Boats sank the steamer Halibat on tho American coast.. The eroy wen. • rescued. The Portland fishing' boat, Robert N. Richards, was submarined and sunk off the American coast. The crew were picked up.

LOSS OF JUSTITIA. A GREAT FIGHT. LONDON, July 24. During the steamer Justitia’s 24Vhour fight with the submarine, ten tor-- , pedoos were fired. The first wrecked' tho engineroom and stopped the ship,, and another was effective.. Four wereexploded by gunfire from the? ship'. No' passengers were lost. Ten of the- crew are dead. DESPERATE ATTACK, .3 .LONDON, July 24. The Justitia was sunk on the north coast of Ireland on Saturday. Eleven of the crew were killed hv various torpedo explosions. The remainder were safely landed. Tho German submarine, authorities state that the Justitia was provided with largo steel nets to prevent torpedoes reaching her sides. She was often attacked by submarines without result. ' ' *

The survivors state that the sea was calm and the coast was just, out of sight on Friday afternoon when a terrific explosion shook the vessel from end to end. There was not the slightest panic. The crew speedily mustered! on deck and preparations, were made to tow the vessel to port. The. tug: was alongside when a couple more torpedoes were fired. These missed, passing between the tug and the Justitia.. The submarine made a further attempt before nightfall, and during til** night to complete the destruction of the liner without success.

A final attempt was. made at eight on Saturday morning when the Justitia was in tow. A torpedo struck the eigine room and almost simultaneously another penetrated the forehold, and it was obvious that- her fate was sealed.

The crow of seven hundred were ordered to abandon the liner, which remained afloat until two p.m. The survivors reaching port at nightfall.

A BIG FIGHT.

FURTHER PARTICULARS; (Received This Day at 12.30. a.m.) LONDON, July 24.' Some, accounts say that eight submarines attacked the Justitia. British destroyers fired a number of depth charges and general engagements with tho submarines took place. The crew throughout refused to leave th© Justitia, until the patrols took them off, after the last two torpedoes had struck her on Saturday morning. No passengers* were aboard.

THE SUBMARINE DANGER. ARCHIBALD HERD’S VIEWS. (Received Hu’s Day at 1.20 a.m.) LONDON, July 25. Mr Archibald Hurd writes that although tho losses by submarines continue to decrease, the sinkings still greatly exceed the output of the shipyards, duo mainly to the shortage of Labour. The net reduction of tonnage during tho war period must now be four million tons. Tho general maritime situation is far better than a year ago, but is still far from satisfactory. Our seamen ore fighting the piracy more successfully. Tho Americans are speeding up tho ship construction, and a considerable number of neutral ships have been obtained by the Allies, but tho situation is anxious in view of the after-war position.