Maritime Activities

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 223, 27 February 1915, Page 5

Maritime Activities

DARDANELLES BOMBARDMENT SUCCESSFUL. OUTER FORTS SILENCED. OPERATIONS CONTINUING. (By Press Association.—Extraordinary Cable.) Received 26, C.lO p.m. London, February 26. The bombardment of the Dardanelles was resumed on Thursday morning. All the forts at the entrance were reduced. Operations continue.

HIGH COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. Wellington, Last Night. The High Commissioner reports from London under date London, February 26 (5.35 a.m.):— The Admiralty states that the weather having moderated, the bombardment of the outer forts of the Dardanelles was renewed at 8 o'clock on Thursday morning. 1 After a period of long-range fire, a squadron of battleships attacked at close range. All the forts at the entrance to the Straits were successfully reduced. Operations are continuing. THE SUBMARINE BLOCKADE. ANOTHER STEAMER SUNK. London, February 25. The steamer Western Coast was blown up and sunk oil' Beachy Head. All were saved by the Deptford. The vessel was struck abaft of the engine-room. A lifeboat was launched and the roll called. The carpenter was missing, but it was impossible to carry out the captain's order to pull back, owing to the heavy seas. Baling was necessary. The crew were exhausted when picked up.

It is believed the Western Coast was torpedoed. The captain states that there was a violent explosion amidships which raised a column of water fifty feet high. The vessel sank in seven minutes. Received 26. R. 20 p.m. London, February 26. It is uncertain whether the Western Coast was torpedoed or mined. The boats had previously been swung out in preparation for emergencies. A steamer following in hr-r wake rescued the erew.

DETAILS OF SINKING SHIPS. COMPARATIVELY LITTLE DAMAGE YET. Received 20, 11.10 p.m. London. February 26. The Deptford's crew drifted in an open boat during a. snowstorm for five hours. The torpedo struck the Harpalion amidships, and the boilers blew up. The chief engineer said grace, uttering the words, "For what we are about to receive, may the Lord make us truly thankful!' when there came an awful crash, and everything was shattered.

The Admiralty states that 708 vessels arrived and G73 sailed between the lSth and the 24th February. The German submarines had sunk seven. AMERICA'S PROPOSALS. THE TEXT UNREVEAT/ED. London, February 25. There is great secrecy respecting America's proposal to belligerents, in order to avoid public discussion and embarrassing negotiations. SINKING NORWECIAN SHIPS. JUSTIFIABLE RESENTMENT. Times and Sydney Sun Services. Received 2(i, 5.50 p.m. London, February 26, The torpedoeing of the Regin lias inflamed Norwegian public opinion. People assert that they will demand that their Government shall send Germany a communication the meaning of which it will be impossible to mistake.

NORWEGIAN EXPORTERS' ACTION. STOPPING SUPPLIES OF DRIED FISH. Received 20, 11.40 p.m. Copenhagen, February 20. Most of tin; great Norwegian exporters of dried codfish have ceased shipments to Germany, owing to the attacks on Norwegian merchant ships. MORE PREYING SUBMARINES. FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN. Received 2(5, f1.45 p.m. Geneva, February 20.

Pola telegrams state that three new German submarines reached there, having been transported in sections overland, for use 'against merchantmen in the Adriatic and Moditorrannea. A Muich telegram states that another twelve are being prepared.

GERMANISED NEWS. ' Tims and Sydney Sun Srvices. Received 2fi,' ,"...">n p.m. London. February 2(1. A Berlin wireless telegram states that the Captain of the Evelyn states that his ship met disaster owing to the advice of the British NavaT Board office,-, who instructed him as to his course, instead of allowing him to lake the more northerly course prescribed by the G-r----imtn instructions. GERMAN MINE-LAYERS. Copenhagen. February 2''. A flotilla of German trawlers'laden with mines Missed (he Ska.w. »:.ing to ■the westward.