On the Sea

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 27, 28 December 1916, Page 5

On the Sea

RAISING THE LOAD LINE. Press Association—Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. London. December 27. It is understood that Sir Joseph Maclay (Controller of Shipping) proposes that owners may close the tonnage openings in the shelter deck of steamers, enabling the load line to be safely raised. It is estimated that this step would add a quarter of a million of tonnage to the mercantile marine.

BRUSH IN THE ADRIATIC. AUSTRIAN SQUADRON DASH. E'ress Association—Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. Rome, December 27. A naval communique states:—Several enemy ships on the. night of the 23rd December attacked small guard ships in the Otranto Canal. French destroyers espied the sqWlrbn, 1 and a sharp engagement ensued. 1 -' 'The enemy fled, pursued by the'"Allies' forces, but escaped in the" The enemy losses are unknown. A French destroyer and one guardship were slightly damaged. One version of the Otranto fight states that an Austrian squadron endeavored to force the Strait. French destroyers came to the rescue of the patrols, and subsequently Italian and Allied naval units took part. A violent duel ensued, but the enemy escaped in the.darkness. 1 ••■ ,'■:.'' , ; :%*&£s '••■>'• ? r i*i Otranto Canal is in the strait of the same name, 45 miles south-east of Brindisi, at the entrance to the Adriatic between Albania and Italy. The town of Otranto was in the "middle ages the chief port of Italy and in the fifth century was captured by the, Turks when there were 20,000 inhabitants, but owing chiefly to the increase of malaria the population rapidly decreased. Now ii.it is. • a fishing centre with a population of< about 3000. \ I

NORWEGIAN STEAMER SUNK. Press Association— Copyright, Aus«ra lian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received 10.55 a.m.) London, December 27. The Norwegian steamer Sno (18iS3 tons) was sunk.