ON THE SEA.

Taihape Daily Times, 11 January 1918, Page 5

ON THE SEA.

FRENCH SHIPPING RETURNS. Received 8.35, LONDON, Jan ID. French shipping returns: Arrivals, 957; sinkings, one over and none under 1600 tons; unsuccessfully attacked, 4. THE TORPEDOED HOSPITAL SHIP A COLD-BLOODED CRIME. LONDON, Jan 9. The Rewa was sunk in the Bristol Channel. There were 550 aboard, including her complement of woundeds. Excellent order was maintained after the vessel was struck. A calm sea and the nearness of hundreds of other vessels contributed to the rescue. The boats Avere lowered and the cot cases safely disembarked. The A r essel sank in seventy-five minutes, and Avithin tAvo hours alL'Were picked up, A member of the creAv states that the Eewa had just entered the Bristol Channel after a bad voyage. Suddenly there was a terrific bang, and the crew Avere thrown out of their bunks. The concussion extinguished the lights. There Avas no time to save personal belongings. Magnificent order prevailed. The ReAva had 250 wounded aboard, and these Avere first put into the boats, then the nurses, folloAved by the passengers and crew. The weather Avas not cold. A tank steamer and patrol boat took us to Swansea. We did not suffer much discomfort A COLD-BLOODED CRIME. LONDON, Jan 10. Other accounts slioav that the Germans used the Red Gross as a target. The torpedo passed clean through it. The Lascars were probably killed by the explosion. The ship Avas only travelling four knots, and it v was a most effective shot. There Avas not a chance 'of saving the vessel. The men in bunks Avere suddenly aAvakened, and made a dash on deck. In other cases there was Avild groping in the darkness for some sort of clothing. Most landed absolutely Avithout clothing.

THE GERMAN BARRED ZONE.

AMSTERDAM, Jan 9, The “Nordentache” announces that a fresh extension of the German barred zone concerns hostile bases on the Cape Verde Islands, and Bade Dakar, in the adjoining coastal regions, also the barred zone at the Azores, which is extended to Madeira. Neutral vessels at present harboured in the zone will not be attacked if they proceed to a free sea by the shortest'route by the 18th inst. A sufficient period grace is allowed neutral ships entering the zone unknowingly. GERMAN PRESS EXPLANATION. ' AMSTERDAM, Jan 9. German newspapers, commenting on the extension of the barred zone for shipping, state that the extension is necessary because it has been discovered that the enemy have established points of support in places easily attainable by submarines. They also state that the extension of the southern frontier of the barred zone 4000 miles from Cuxhaven, proves the submarines’ increasing capability, and strengthens the German belief that the submarines will ultimately decide the war.