LINER UNDER FIRE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8713, 12 January 1907, Page 1

LINER UNDER FIRE.

Just before reaching Plymouth the Union-Castle liner Durham Oastle bad an alarming experience. As she rounded Penlee Point, a bold headland on the Cornish coast, marking the entrance to Cawsand Bay, a live shell crossed her bows, pitching into the sea a short distance off. The shell came from a gunboat, which was at target practice in the bay. It is customary, when ships of the mercantile marine cross the range of a warship at gunnery, for the tiring to be temporarily suspended until the vessel has passed out of the danger zone, and, cognisant of this custom, and thinking it would be observed, the liner kept on her course. To the consternation and alarm of both passengers and crew, however, the gunboat continued firing without any intermission, and shots continued to fall in close proximity to the ship, ploughing up the sea around. While the firing lasted the greatest excitement prevailed on board, and it was not till the vessel had passed through the danger zone, and was well clear of the range, that the fears of the vo} a jers were calmed. On reaching Plymouth Captain F. J. Moseley, R.N.R., the commander of the liner, entered a protest with the naval authorities. Among the passengers great indignation was expressed at the reckless way in which their lives had been endangered. A military officer, who was standing on the bridge, freely expressed the opinion that the gunboat had exposed the liner to unnecessary risk by her firing.