On the Sea

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 31, 12 January 1916, Page 5

On the Sea

THE MOSQUITO SQUADRON

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READINESS OF THE FLEET TO

"CTf-tAFE" ANYTHING

United Buess Association (Received 3.15 a.m.)

London, January 11

The Admiralty issued an invitation to the members of the Australian

Press Association who visited an [ni

squadron was in readiness at two minutes' notice to dart out. Target practice and training continues a s m peace time, and there are war games with miniature torpedoes. They saw trawlers, mine-layers, and minesweepers, with attendant depot ships, an aeroplane vessel, and other novel auxiliaries representing the latest developments in naval science. fhe sqmidron includes a number of rbe latest and most speedy destroyers afloat, with a flotilla of leaders capable of outstripping any enemy destroyers and light cruisers, of wh'rh 'they inspected the Arethnsa. She is 'ac saucy as when she was completed land left dock. She went to sea unl fought an action on 28th August and was back in dock again in less than five days. The Arethusa is proud of her wounds, all the holes being plastered with iron plates. The visit afforded the happiest evidence of the readiness of the Fleet to "strafe" any enemy vessels venturing into the ouen.

LIES REFUTED. THE BARALONG INCIDENT. HOW RATS WERE TRAPPED (Received 9.5., a.m.) London, January 11. A gunner on the Baralong states that the vessel received the Xicosian's wireless on 19th August, and went full speed to the hitter's assistance. An hour later they sighted the Nicosian being shelled by a submarine whije the crew was getting into the life boats. "We had plenty of ammunition ready On the poop," he continues —"and the marines took shelter behind the bulwarks. Our captain, by excellent seamanship, brought up his vessel on the starboard skle of the Nicosian so that we were hidden from the submarines view for a few moments, during which we cleared for action, and trained our guns outboard. We hoisted the white ensign, nd when we appeared, around . the Xicosian's bows, the submarine fired a shot at us. Our marines replied with ft volley which swept the decks of the submarine, and seemed to demoralise her crew. Immediately they left their guns and rushed to the conning tower,, several going overboard. We fired our port stern gun s and hit the submarine beneath the .waterline. Our second shot hit the conning tower, sending two men Hying high in the air. The submarine gradually sunk, and everyone ot her crew were either uro'wueu or suot. Uiny a lew pai-ib

ot bodies and a huge quantity oi oil remained on tiie suriace. iue action

lasted iour ana a ' lilU uiiuuw», an<i we nred tnirty-seveu rounus/ Xlie

suom.uine was one ox bremmuy t, latest and largest, three inuulreu leet long and a thousand tons btiruen. She had two guns lore and aft of subtly larger canore tnan tlie baraiong's. We were disgusted at the cowardice 01 the submarine's crew. Apart from her heavier guns, several torpedo tubes were ready enough to kill or maim defenceless merchant vessels' passengers, but these Germans had no stomach for fighting armed ships, even when the odds were in their favour. We rescued 107 of the crew of the Nicosian and none were injured or killed. Our casualties were nil.

HOW SHE WENT DOWN. THE KING EDWARD VII'S END. OFFICERS' FINE EXAMPLE. 'Received 9.5 a.m.) London, January LI. A survivor from the battleship Edward the Soyeuth, which wa* simJ; by striking a (loafing mine, states that the disaster occurred al 11 o'clock on Thursday morning, the weather bring moderate and wind high. All the bulkhead doors were closed. The shock extinguished all lights below, and it wa s some time before other lights were set going. Nevertheless, every boat was out within half-an-hour. Meanwhile a collier came up and began to tow the ba;. deship. An hour later~"four destroyers responded to wireless appeals, and took the injured ship in tow, but a heavy sea sprang up. rendering towing difficult and dangerous. First, one bowser and then another parted. until all had gotie.

The Captain at three o'clock, seeing it was hopeless to save the ship. ordered every man to save himself. and at the same time ordered the destroyers to stand alongside. The stokers remained at their posts until the last, keeping the dynamo* going until all were off safely by six o'clock. The Captain left the bridge at 7.30, and ten minutes later, the battleship disappeared. The entire absence of pnnic. amongst the officers set a splendid example.