ON THE SEA.

Taihape Daily Times, 23 May 1918, Page 5

ON THE SEA.

OSTEND AND ZEEBRUGGE ABAN- . DON ED. AMSTERDAM, May 21. A report from Berlin states that Zeebrugge and Ostend are so damaged that they have had to be abandoned as bases. DUTCH SHIPPING. LONDON, May 22. Reuter's Hague correspondent states: All sailings of Dutch ships from Dutch ports excepting sailers and coastal craft, has been prohibited. No explanation is so far forthcoming. POLA HARBOUR RAID. OFFICIAL ACCOUNT, ■ Received 11.10 a.m. ROME, May 22. Italian official: A participator in the raid on Pola harbour relates that the operation was carried out in the early hours of the morning; the weather vas windy. A torpedo boat containing Lieut-Commander Pellegrini and a gallant crew fired two torpedoes fifty-eight minutes after leaving the supporting convoy, which was composed of armed motor launches. When the enemy realised the presence of the torpedo-boat, a terrific burst of artillery fire broke out, during which Pellegrini signalled: "I torpedoed a ship and my ship is destroyed, all help useless." A squadron of chasing seaplanes broke down and attempted enemy aerial attacks against our convoy. The account states a hostile vessel was indubitably struck and sunk, or so damaged that she will be out of action for a considerable time. All members of the torpedoing party were taken prisoners. ALLIED SHIPPING LOSSES. A HUGE DECREASE. Received 12.50 a.m. LONDON, May 22. The Admiralty reports that 22,709 tons of British and 84,393 tons of AI-; lied and neutral shipping were lost in April owing to enemy action .and marine risks, compared with 555,056 tons and 338,000 tons respectively for April« last year. . x ~.''; The Mininstry of Shipping announ- | ces that excluding coastwise and cross ' Channel traffic, the tonnage of steamers of over 500 tons entering anc" clearing the United Kingdom ports during the month of April.was 70,040^-r 309 tons. .. • . ,;.;,,