NAVAL WARFARE

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 62, 12 November 1914, Page 4

NAVAL WARFARE

END OF THE EMDEN, BRITISH TRIBUTE TO GALLANT FOE. Press Association— Copyright. (Rec. 9.35 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 11. There is general satisfaction at the fact that the Emden's commander is unscathed. THE OFFICIAL STORY. FINALE TO BIG OPERATIONS. SYDNEY. Nov. 11. The latest official particulars show that large combined operations by fast cruisers against the Emden were in propress for some time. The search covered an immense area. The British cruisers were aided by French, Russian, and Japanese, working in harmony with the Melbourne and Sydney. Yesterday morning news was received that the Emd'en, which had completely disappeared after torpedoing the Zemtelmg, had arrived at Keeling Island for the purpose of destroying the wireless station and cutting the cable. Sh< was caught, and forced to fight j by the Sydney. When the Emden was afire at the stern she was run on to the beach with a bad list. Her firing deteriorated miserably, presumably owing to the injuries received, and the absence of gunners with the landing party. She was abandoned. The Emden's losses in personnel are reported to be heavy. All possible assistance was given to the survivors. ABOUT 200 KILLED. SYDNEY, November 11. The Eastern Extension states that the company's doctor has returned from Keeling. He reports that the Emden's captain was not wounded. The prisoners include the Kaiser's nephew, who is also uninjured. About 200 were killed. Thirty wounded were taken off the Emden. Some are remaining at Keeling. They will be picked up by a ship returning from Cocos. Nothing has been seen' of the Ayesha. The island will b& visited frequently while she is uncaptured. The Sydney sank the Emden's collier, which was flooded prior to capture. A FINE PIECE OF STRATEGY, SYDNEY, November 11. Messages received at the Navy Office point to the'Emden's capture being due to clover naval strategy. During the early part of the war the Cocos cable station was well guarded. The Emden was aware of the tact. A few weeks ago the guardship disappeared, the telegraph operators feared a raid, .realising that the wireless, over a 600 mile radium, and communicating with Perth and Singapore, was a thorn in the Emden's side. When shfe appeared the operators at once recognised her. The staff watched the fight from the shore.

FURTHER CONGRATULATIONS. ENTHUSIASTIC SCENES IN THE HOUSE. (Rec. 9.20 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. Senator Pearce has received congratulations on the Sydney's victory and the "blooding" of the Australian Navy from many sources, including the Governor and Premier of New Zealand, the Hon. Jas. Allen and the Mayor of Auckland. The First Sea Lord of the Admiralty cabled to the Sydney's captain his warmest congratulations on the brilliant entry of the Australian Navy into the war and the signal service that had been rendered to tho Allies' cause and to peaceful commerce by the destruction of the Emden.

Mr. Fisher, in making a statement in the House covering the facts cabled, added that the Cocos sent a wireless mesage for help just before the Germans destroyed the installation, which the Sydney picked up. The Sydney had recently come out of dock and, therefore, had the advantage of speed. He concluded by saying that he did not think there was a soul in Australia not pleased that such an opportunity arose and that such success was achieved by our own ship. The statement was punctuated by frequent cheering. The manager of the Eastern Extension Cablo Company in Sydney states that ho understands but cannot say for certain that though tho cablo is cut it haa been temporarily repaired. He i» unable to say whether the damage has prevented traffifficfiiffi going through prevented traffic going through Cocoa but points out that messages have been received from it. In any case, the bulk of traffic would go by the other route — via Port Darwin. (Received 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, November 11. The Japanese Ambassador telegraphed Sir George Reid congratulating: Australia. OCEANS ALMOST CLEAR, LONDON, November 10. The Admiralty announce that with the exception of the German squadron off Chili, the whole cf tho Pacific and Indian Ocean s are now clear.

BOTTLING UP THE KONIGSBERG. DISCOVERED BY H.M.S. CHATHAM. ■ ■ t UWABJ-B TO DO FURTHER DAMAGE. LONDON, Nov. 10. The Admiralty announces -that after the whereabouts of the Konigsberg were indicated by her attack on the Pegasus on September 19th tha concentration of faster cruisers in African waters was arranged. The warship Chatham discovered the Konigsberg hiding in shoal water six miles up the Rufiji River, opposite Mafia Island. The Chatham was unable to follow, and bombarded both the Konigsberg and her crew, who were entrenched ashore. Owing to dense palms whore the vessel was hidden, the Chatham was unable to estimate the damage. Effective steps are to be taken to or du sti-oy the Konigsberg.

The High Commissioner cables as *k I lows:—

Pending the operations for her capture or dest"u.;:icii, effective steps ar» being taken to block the Kon'.gsberg in by sinking colliers in the only navigable channel. She is now imprisoned, and is unable to do further harm. The fast vessels which have been searching foi her are thus released for other services.

[Kifji is the chief river <,i German Africa, wui}'i ( rising far ;.u the interior, enters the sea through a delta, with shoals and bars, opposite the island of Mafia.] JAPANESE TOSPEDCER MINED. MAJORITY OP GREW SAVED. (Rec. 8.45 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 11. A Japanese torpedoer was sunk while mine-sweeping at Kaiochau. The majority of the crew were saved.