On the Sea

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 92, 14 September 1914, Page 8

On the Sea

GERMANY'S MERCHANT SHIPS. OIiDERED TO LEAVE- AMERICAN TORTS. MUST TAKE Til KIR CHANCES, Received 13. 5.5 p.m. New York, September 12. It is r-pnrted that the Cerinan (lovernini'iit lias ordered the big merchantmen held up in American ports to put to sea and take their chances. Most have already coaled, and have their crews aboard and steam up, ready to sail at a few hours' notice. RATTLE T\* THE BALTIC. RUSSIAN'S v. GERMANS. Stockholm, September 11. There are reports of a naval battle between the Germans and the Russians oIV Aland Island. (Aland Island is at the sourtiiern end of the Culf of Bothnia, where German cruisers were seen the other day.) Strong German squadrons were seen on Monday near the islands of Gottska and Sandoc. steaming north-westwards. Nine battleships were seen approaching the Gulf of Finland on the same day. 'AUSTRIAN VESSEL SUN K. Rome. September 11. The Tribuna states that an Austrian torpedoer was sunk by a mine near Fasana, i '_ •

THE HELIGOLAND FIGHT. A COWARDLY ARTIFICE. TRAGEDY ON THE SINKING MAINZ. London, September 11. A British stoker petty officer states that the first shots at the Mainz from the British destroyers swept the upper deck. The Germans hoisted a white flag, and therefore two British destroyers wero going alongside the Mainz, which was now sinking, when the captain ordered the crew to fire the only gun left. The crew refused; thereupon the captain jumped off the bridge and fired it himself and then shot .it the crew. The commander and some signalmen of a destro3'er were killed. The Mainz had on board three British naval reserve men who were serving in a Ovu man liner when war broke out. They narrate that when one of t\vo brothers Who were siokers on the Mainz was injured by a British shot the. uninjured one endeavored to carry his Urotiicr to the deck. A German engineer shot the uninjured brother dead.

GERMAN COLLIER CAPTURED. Kingston (Jamaica), September 11.A British warship brought in tlie Bcthania with 400 prisoners aboard. She is one of the Kaiser WiUielui der Grosse's colliers. THE HELIGOLAND BATTLE. LOSS OF FOUR GERMAN SHIPS ADMITTED. London, September 11. Jansh?n, a Dutchman, who was aboard a Grimsby trawler which a German cruiser sank, has been released owing to his nationality. He declares that the Germans admit that four of their cruisers were sunk in the Heligoland battle.