ON THE SEA.

Taihape Daily Times, 16 April 1918, Page 4

ON THE SEA.

BIG COLLIER MISSING. WASHINGTON, April 14 It is announced that the naval col- , lier Cyclops, of 19,000 tons, is believed to hare been lost with 293 of and passengers. The vessel is a month, overdue. She left the West Indies on March 4th, and no trace has since been found. The Cyclops, which is reported missing, had 15 officers and 221 of a crew and 57 passengers, also a cargo of manganese from Brazil, The American Navy Department (states that it is unable to account for non-appearance of the vessel. All attempts to reach her by wireless failed. Though she is believed to be lost, the search continues. THE MINE-SWEEPERS. INCREASED FORTY-FOLD. 1 Received 8.40 a.m. LONDON, April 15. The mine-sweeping fleet is now nearly forty-fold larger than in 1914 y Tho work has developed from the rough and ready method into a scffisuce. The average- daily area swept is jiitOffi square miles and is so thoroughly done that there were only three casualties in one particular area frequented, by thousands of vssels. The Admiralty records contain many fine acts of gallantry and courage on the part of mine-sweeping crews. THE FATE OF THE CYCLOPS. SURROUNDED IN MYSTERY. Receved 9.40 a.m. WASHINGTON, April 15. The element of mystery surrounding the disappearance of the Cyclops, has caused the greatest speculations, as to her fate. Officers point Out that the weather has not been rough, and there is no reason to believe the vessel foundered. Th fate'of the Cyclops has strengthened the Navy Department’s belief in the probability that a U-boat or a raider is operating be. tween Cuba and Brazil, and the general opinion is that the Cyclops is a. victim of a raider.