On the Sea

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 88, 16 April 1915, Page 5

On the Sea

SENSATION IN HOLLAND. DUTCH TRAWLERS TAKEN TO ZEEBRUGGE. > b . : fJ;’f' ~r '■ •'. 1 " 'p\T V ,' v • '.i ' !4 ' 1 . / . (Received 12.45 p.m.) United Press Association. Amsterdam, April 15. German submarines took four Dutch trawlers to Zeebruggs. These outrages have caused a sensation in Holland. DUTCH STEAMER TORPEDOED. CRAIN-LADEN FOR ROTTERDAM. United Press Association. (Received 12.45 p.m.) Amsterdam, April 15. The Dutch steamer Katwyk, grainladen, from .Baltimore to Rotterdam, was - torpedoed. The crew was saved. STEAMER TORPEDOED. ELEVEN LIVES LOST.

Unxtho 3’kkhs Association. (Received 10.10 a.m.) London, April 15. The steamer Ptarmigan was torpedoed off North Hinder light, eleven of the crew being drowned. AN APOLOGY TO GHILI. FOR SINKING DRESDEN IN NEUTRAL WATERS, (Received 1.30 p.m.) London, April 15. Sir Edward Grey (British Foreign Minister) has apologised to Chili for the British ships sinking the German cruiser Dresden in Cumberland Bay, this being neutral water. THE TORPEDOED SOUTH POINT. MORE JEERING FROM THE GERMANS, (Received 12.25 p.m.) London, April 15. One of the crew of the South Point has cabled the Admiralty on the 2nd and states that two boats, containing 36 persons, drifted H hours. The Germans only jeered, asked to tow them. They fired a torpedo and nine shots at the South Point, which was two hours in sinking, the cargo of clay acting as n plug to the holes.

PRISONERS’ STORIES. UFE ON TWO OF THE GERMAN SEA RAIDERS. Times and Sydney Sun Service. (Received 8 a.in.) London, April 15. British prisoners from the Kronprinz Wilhelm related that they unanimously declare that on returning to England they will enlist.

Captain Creighton, of the sunken ship Cnlehy, said: “For weeks I have been forced to live at the bottom of a dirty pirate ship, wondering day and night when I would be killed like a rat in a trap. Immediately I set foot in England I will go and enlist, with the one hope that I will be able to put a bit of lead through a German.” While the Kronprinz Wilhelm was well supplied, the prisoners from the Prince Eitel Fred rich said they got bnlly beef and sour bread, and were shut up in a dark room at six o’clock nightly. The Kronprinz Wilhelm was faster than most of the British warships, one of which chased her within the three mile zone. Frequently the crew threw over woodwork bearing the name of the steamer to mislead the British warship and make them think she had been sunk.

WORK OF THE NAVY. THE BELGIAN COAST BOMBARDMENT. United Phkbs Association. London, April 15. The Press Bureau publishes Admiral Hood’s report respecting the flotilla’s bombardment of the Belgian coast in October and November. Hie report shows that twenty-eight British warships were engaged, including two submarines, also five French destroyers. During the first attack, which was organised to prevent the Germans going to Ostend and Nieuport, a brisk shrapnel fix - e bespattered the warships. The Amazon was badly holed at the waterline, and was sent to England for repairs. The presence of the ships caused alterations in tiie enemy’s plans. Loss troops were seen, but 'more heavy guns were mounted on the sand dunes.

The monitors returned to England and the 'Venerable and several older cruisers replaced them. In consequence of the enemy’s heavier guns, the casualties in the flotilla increased. The Falcon was badly hit while guarding the Venerable against submarines, while the Wildfire and Vestal were badly holed.

The enemy’s submarines were seen and torpedoes fired. When it became apparent that the rush of the enemy along the coast had been cheeked, the bombardment ceased.

Many officers and men were specially commended. Able Seaman Dirnmock, of the Falcon, finding himself the only person unwonnded on deck, went to the helm and immediately conned the ship.

Seaman Sturman, of the Mersey, was wounded bv «i. > nut continued to serve the guns.

Seaman Knott, on the Brilliant, when all the men at bis gun had been killed or wounded and be himself was severely wounded, endeavoured to fight the gun.

SUBMARINES V. MERCHANTMEN. A SPLIT IN THE OPPOSITE PARTY [UNi''«m Pbkhb Association.] (Received 9 a.m.) London, April 16. 'J’lie Daily Telegraph’s Rotterdam correspondent says there is a serious difference of opinion among members of the German Government respecting the use of submarines against merchantmen. Admiral Von Tirpitz originated the Scheme, and - Chancellor Herr Von BothTminn-Hollweg opposed, hut the Kaiser assented after a long strugj glen