Maritime Activities

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 221, 25 February 1915, Page 5

Maritime Activities

THE GERMAN BLOCKADE. THE NETHERLANDS ANNOYED. ANOTHER NORWEGIAN VESSEL GONE. Times and Sydney Sun Services. London, February 23. The Times correspondent at Amsterdam states that opinion in Holland concerning the German blockade is hardening. The German accusation that they are yielding to the pressure of England has aroused lively indignation. The public, while calm, take a serious view of the situation and its possibilities. London, February 23.

Berlin newspaper reports, via New York, claim that a British transport with troops on board, and a number of other vessels, have been sunk by submarines and mines.

The Norwegian steamer Regin was blown up and sunk off Dover. A British destroyer saved the crew. The Regin was bound from the Tyne to Bordeaux, coal laden. She was torpedoed, and sank in ten minutes. DARDANELLES FIGHT. TURKISH WARSHIPS DAMAGED. AN ARMED LINER'S HAUL. London, February 23. The Morning Post's Constantinople correspondent reports that the, Turkish warships are returning minus their smoke-stacks, and with canvas coverings over their sides. The Goeben has three guns disabled and her speed reduced to 17 knots. Times and Sydney Sun Services. London. February 23. The vessels destroyed by the Kronprinz Wilhelm are valued at a quarter of a million. -

ONLY A COMMENCEMENT. Times and Sydney Sim Services. Received 25, 5.15 a.m. London, February 24. The Times' naval correspondent declares that the bombardment of the Dardanelles is an immediate counterstroke to the futile ,blockade by Germany. It is undoubtedly a preliminary movement to much larger operations. In this new offensive can be traced the masterful mind of Admiral Sir John Mier and the pushful energy of Mr Churchill. OPERATIONS INTERRUPTED. Received 24. 8.25 p.m. London, February 24. The Press Bureau reports: The Admiralty notifies that operations in the Dardanelles have been interrnpted by heavy gales. GERMAN SUBMARINE HIT. BY FRENCH WARSHIP. Received 24, 10.40 p.m. Paris, February 24. Official: A French warship attacked a. Gorman submarine south-west of Copcalprcch, several shots hitting the craft before she dived. Oil was afterwards seen at the spot. FOODSTUFFS AND SUBMARINE WAR SECRET PROPOSALS MADE. Received 24, 10.40 p.m. Washington, February 24. The United States has informally forwarded proposals to Britain and Germany suggesting a basis of understanding regarding foodstuffs, intended for German civilians, and as to the German submarine warfare against Britafn. Secrecy is maintained as to the nature of the proposals. A TORPEDO THAT MISSED.

IRISH SEA CLOSED. Received 24, 8.25 p.m. London, February 24. A submarine attempted to torpedo a Folkestone-Boulogne passenger steamer on Monday night. The torpedo passed thirty yards ahead of the vessel. The Admiralty has prohibited navigation in the Irish Channel between sunset and sunrise. A COLLIER TORPEDOED. Received 24, 8.25 p.m. London, February 24. The Government collier Branksomechine was torpedoed and damaged off Beschy Head. The crew was savcl. SHTPPIXC INTERRUPTED. Received 25, 12.20 a.m. London, February 24. Almost the whole of the Irish Channel between Ireland and Ayrshire is closed, except a narrow passage to the Irish coast which is closed at night.

"MURDEROUS." SAILORS AND STOKERS PROTEST. Received 24, 5.25 p.m. London, February 24. Times and Sydney Sun Services. Sailors and stokers at Copenhagen wl:o refused to go to sea held a meeting and agreed tliat Scandinavian merchantmen should be convoyed by warships. The German action could only be regarded as murder, and they hoped that Britain would punish the murderers, not only the crews of the submarines but the persons responsible for this method of warfare.

ACTION OF SCAXDIXAVIAXS. CONVOY FOR MERCHANTMEN. Received 25. 12.55 a.m. London. February 24. It is understood that the conference of Scandinavian Governments recommend a trial of a naval convoy of merchantmen.