TERRIBLE DUTCH CHEESES.

Shannon News, 11 April 1924, Page 4

TERRIBLE DUTCH CHEESES.

HOW THEY WON A NAVAL BATTLE

Perhaps the most, extraordinary naval victory ever won on the high seas was that accomplished by the famous Admiral Coe, of the Montevidian Navy. Early in thp last century the Admiral encountered an enemy naval vessel of the Buenos Aires Service commanded by ‘Admiral Brown. A running fight ensued. When the battle between the two vessels was at its height Admiral Coe discovered that he had run out of ammunition. - • His first lieutenant reported that not a found, grape or canister shot could -b& found on' the Santa Maria-. Admiral Coe frowned at the guns that had suddenly grown silent. And then his face brightened. “We had a' darned hard round Dutch one, for dessert at dinner, »» he said. / ‘ Are there any more? ’ ’ The amazed lieutenant reported that there were about two dozen in the pantry. : “Will they go into the eighteenpoundbrs? ’’ was the ,Admiral’s next question . * “By thunder, that Vthe ideal . I believe they will!” cried the lieutenant.

It is recorded that in a few minutes thja guns of the old Santa Mafia were booming at the enemy, and hurling Dutch cheeses across the blue. This strange ammunition Unnerved the Admiral; and when five cheeks had passed through his sails lie gave orders to retire, and backed out of the fight.. An account of this battle, supplied by the Santa Maria's first lieutenant, was reproduced on August 19th, 1848, in the Atlas, a Sydney paper. .A copy is to be seeaia tjheMitchell Library*