Maritime Activities

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 156, 8 December 1914, Page 5

Maritime Activities

A WARSHIP ASHORE. ON THE COAST. NATIONALITY UNKNOWN. Received 8, 1.5 a.m. San Diego, December 7. A four-funnelled warship, nationality unknown, is reported to be stranded oil' the Califnrniaii coast. Life-savers are ) standing by. The fighting tops are visible, but the state of the weather pre- ! vents the work of the life savers. IN THE WESTERN PACIFIC. HOW THE GERMANS ESCAPED. NEW ZEALAND BLAMED. Received 7, 8.50 p.m. Sydney, November 7. The Sun's Melbourne correspondent writes regarding the Scliarnhorst's and Gneisenau's having escaped from the Western Pacific, that it is established hat when the dreadnought Australia was called away from the chase to convoy the New Zealanders to Samoa she was within a few hours of getting upon Admiral Von Spee's track. The New Zealand Government, in their impetuous desire to get the men to Samoa, sent them to sea in the care of the Psyche and Philomel, but suddenly recalled the expedition, cabled to the Admiralty, and secured the Australia's assistance. Later came the interruption caused by the Australian expedition to New Guinea. ' Although Mr Mullen (Defence Minister), was anxious to expedite the seizure of the German South Pacific possessions, he gave Admiral Patey a free hand at the time of his departure. The troops were held up at Thursday Island for many days while Admiral Patey scoured the seas for the Germans, but he was unable to locate them. He then picked up the transports, and sailed for Rabaul. One result of the escape of Admiral Von Spee's fleet is the determination of botli Federal parties to change the naval agreement, as there is a feeling that the dual control embarrassed the operations '' of the Australian ships. GERMANS IN THE BALTIC. j Times and Sydney Sun Services. Received 7, 5.50 p.m. London, December 8. Seven neutral ships, laden with wood for Dutch ports, have been seized by German warships in the Baltic. . .'