On the Sea

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 42, 20 February 1915, Page 5

On the Sea

TRANSPORT ASHORE. IN SHELTERED POSITION ON NORTH AUSTRALIAN COAST. ANTICIPATIONS OF EASY FLOATING. (Received 10.20 a.m.) Sydney, February 20. A transport vent ashore on the 18th * (Thursday) on the, North Australian coast. She is in a sheltered position, and is being lightered, and it is anticipated the vessel will be easily floated. (The-meagre particulars of such an untoward event are exasperating to a degree. At least, the authorities might have informed the public whether the transport is an Australian or New Zealand vessel. —Ed. S.E.P.)

THE BLOCKADE.

THE KAISER IN COMMAND. ACT OF DESPAIR TO SAVE THE FATHERLAND. NO FEAR OF WAR WITH U.S.A. Times and Sydney Sun Service." (Received 8 a.m.) Lcmdou, February 19. Copenhagen reports that the Kaiser is going to Heligoland personally to direct the blockade. Well-informed neutrals from Hamburg agree that the blockade must be regarded as an act of despair, which was caused by the lack of'corn. They say that Germany initiated it to save the Fatherland, whose condition is so desperate that there is no tear * of war with the United States.

START OF THE BLOCKADE*. United Press Association. # (Received 2.5 p.rn.) London, February 19; A submarine torpedoed and damaged the tank steamer Bel ridge, bound from New Orelaus to Amsterdam. POOR SATISFACTION IN GERMANY. Times and Sydney Sun Service. London, February 18. A neutral, from Germany says the fact that the blockade has alairruni neutrals almost as much as England is causing much satisfaction in Germany, and reconciled the people to the notion that they are standing alone against the world. SCANDINAVIAN GOVERNMENTS MAKE REPRESENTATIONS. Times and Sydney Sun Service. (Received 8 a.m.) London, February 19. The three Scandinavian Govcrn-

ments have made identical representations to Britain and Germany regarding the danger threatening shipping by the use of the neutrals’ flags and the attitude of the German submarines.

BRITISH SAILORMEN UNAFFECTED BY THE BLOCKADE.

Times and Sydney Sun Service. (Received 8 a.m.) London, February 19. The Board of Trade states that the German blockade has not diminished the numbers ,of men ready for service in sea-going ships.

THE NEW PIRACY. NAVAL AUTHORITY’S COUNSEL TO THE GERMAN NATION. ENGLAND NOT ASLEEP. United Press Association. (Received 8.45 a.m.) London, February 19. The German newspapers are largely devoted to discussing the prospects of the new piracy. Vice-Admiral Kirschoff warns the Germans not to expect great immediate - results. He points out that England ; is adopting more effective measures for the defence of her coasts and harbours. She will eagerly search for possible hiding places of the German submarines, -and /organise a better patrol service, using many small craft. She is arming merchantmen and sending out submarines to make observations of warships convoying merchantmen, while all vessels are linked up by wireless. “England,” he says, “is thus prepared to contemplate the future with calm scrutiny, and we cannot immediately expect impossibilities, but must wait patiently for gradual success. Our proclamation has already caused general uneasiness and universal uncertainty, followed by high insurances,' desertion by crews, the abandonment of regular services, and the suspension of certain imports. MISCELLANEOUS. United Press Association. London, February 19. Despite the blockade, shipping :u the Channel is normal. Bristff, this-' gow, and Liverpool are similarly ignoring the threats. The Daily Mail’s Copenhagen correspondent confirms that the Kaiser, Prince Henry, and Admiral Tirpitz have gone to Wilhelmshaven to direct the blockade. The latest announcement f:om Berlin is that the Germans !> ive built 120 big mine-laying submarines in the last six months. Each carries ICO mines. PLUCKY MINE-SWEEPERS. THREE BOATS BLOWN UP IN TEN MINUTES. NO INTERRUPTION IN WORK. (Received 8.15 a.m.) London, February 19. An Admiralty memorandum states

that the sweeping operations to the end of December was a wonderful record of pluck. The Germans had laid extensive minefields oft Scarborough, and in one case three mine-sweepers were blown up in ten minutes, but the work was continued.

DOGGER BANK BATTLE.

derflinger seriously damaged. ENGINEERS WORKING IN WATER UP TO THEIR KNEES. (Received 8.45 a.m.) Geneva, February 19. An engineer who was on the battleship Derflinger, writing to his parents, said the cruiser was seriously damaged. The water invaded the en-gine-room, and the engineers were working in water up to their knees. A shell pierced the hull and killed many. THE BRITISH NAVY. Times and Sydney Sun Service. '* London, Februuy 18.

In the House of Commons, Mr M.:oXamara stated that the Admiralty had issued badges to workers engaged on Admiralty contracts as a recognition that they were fulfilling their duty to the country. The Government proposed to distribute prize bounties and pay £5 for every person aboard the enemy’s ships captured oi destroyed. All naval men at present unengaged are participating m the additional £113,000 being paid io workers in Royal dockyards in appreciation of their splendid work. Mr Churchill announced that navy men killed totalled 6201; wounded. 599; missing 988; interned, 1563 NAVAL COMMISSIONS. London, February 18. The Liverpool Mercantile Maiine Association lias asked Mr Churchill to consider granting commanders of British ships commissions in the naval reserve for the period of the war without emolument. They alio urge shipowners to pay a war bonus to masters and officers, owing to risxs incurred.