Third Largest Nazi Merchant Ship

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 301, 21 December 1939, Page 7

Third Largest Nazi Merchant Ship

SUNK TO EVADE CAPTURE United Press Association—By Electric Telegra ph—Copyrigh t. LONDON, Dec. 19. The correspondent of the Assorted Press of America at Norfolk, Virginia, says that Admiral Taussig, of the naval operating base, reported that the United States cruiser Tuscaloosa had advised by radio that the German liner Columbus (32,565 tons) was bcinj; scuttled 300 miles north-east cl! Cape Henry. She was staled on December 15 to be carrying 25.000 barrels of oil and was reported to have been supplied with special equipment for refuelling submarines. She also had four-inch guns which she could mount at sea. The Tuscaloosa said she was standing by to pick up the crew, and she later radioed that she had 400 survivors, the Columbus being then still floating, but was on fire. A later message from Washington says that White House announced that the Tuscaloose discovered the Columbus in a sinking condition outside the neutrality zone, A British man-o’-war was nearby, but there was no evidence of u light. The Tuscaloosa is now bringing the survivors to an American port. A Navy Department statement said: "The Tuscaloose found the Columbus sinking in the presence of a British destroyer, but as far as we know no unneutral action occurred.” President Roosevelt’s secretary said earlier: “The British may have caused the German crew to scuttle the Columbus.” A New York message says that the German freighter Arauca, after fleeing from a British cruiser, anchored in Port Everglade?:, bringing to a climax a chase on the Florida coast in which a shot was fired across her bow in an attempt to halt her. Port officials said that if she was unarmed the Arauca would be allowed to remain indefinitely, but if she was armed, she must depart within 24 hours.