NAVAL VESSEL LOST

Hokitika Guardian, 14 November 1931, Page 5

NAVAL VESSEL LOST

ON CHINA COAST.

(British Official Wireless.)

RUGBY, November 12. H.M.S, i( Petersfield,” a twin screw minesweeper, of 710 tons, with the Commander-in-Cliief of the China Station, Vice-Admiral Sir William Kelly, aboard, ran ashore last night on the north side of Tungymig Island, while on a passage from Shanghai to Foochow. Everyone on board was saved, but the ship becomes a total loss. The s.s. “Derfliiiger” and the Canadian Pacific liner “Empress of Asia” went to the- “Petersfield’s” assistance) and the cruisers “Suffolk” and “Cornwall” proceeded rapidly to the scene. A) north-east monsoon, it is understood, was raging at the time that the vessel went ashore

The mine-sweeper “Petersfield,” was a tender to the cruiser “Kent” of the Fifth Cruiser Squadron. There were 73 officers and men on board. Tliey were rescued, it is believed, by the German liner “Derfliiiger.” Messages from Admiral Kelly have been received by the Admiralty from the Canadian Pacific liner “Empress of Asia,” to which the Admiral’ and the crew may have been transferred. The cruisers “Suffolk” and “Cornwall” proceeded to the scene on receipt of th 6 report of th R wreck.