SINKING OF THE BLUCHER

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 14 March 1917, Page 6

SINKING OF THE BLUCHER

AWARD OF PRIZE BOUNTY MADE LONDON, January 16 The prize bounty due in the matter of the battle of Dogger Bank, in which the German battle cruiser Blucher was sunk by the British battle cruiser squadron has now been awarded by the Prize Court. There were 47 ships engaged, including the New Zealand, so the amount of thebounty £5250, is not considerable, no ship having disputed the right of any of the other to participate. The claim was made in respect of Blucher only, though it was stated that there might be subsequent claims when further information as toi enemy losses in action were obtainable. The Blucher had 1050 men on board, and the award is on a basis of £5 per head of the ship’s company. The affidavits show that the chase was continued throughout the action at a speed of 28 knots, and that the engagement began at a range of just within 20,000 yards. In a speech at Bournemouth last week Sir Joseph Ward said he had heen on board the New Zealand a few weeks ago, and he was glad to say that the only piece that had been Irnocked out of the ship had been preserved. He would like to have it taken to New- Zealand as a memento; and object lesson of what the New Zealand had done in this greatest of all wars.