The Daily News. THURSDAY, AUGUST 19, 1915. LOSS OF A BRITISH TRANSPORT.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 August 1915, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, AUGUST 19, 1915. LOSS OF A BRITISH TRANSPORT.

The splendid record of the British Navy in having for over twelve months transported hundreds of thousands of troops from all parts of the Empire to the seat of war without suffering any loss has at last been unfortunately broken by the torpedoing of the Kovil Kdw&rd, a Canadian auxiliary. The sinking of this vessel in the Aegean Sea comes as a sharp shock after the absolute immunity experienced up to this time, and the loss of approximately a thousand lives cannot but be a matter of sorrow and deep regret. The details to hand are too meagre to permit of any opinion being formed on the disaster. All ive know is that the transport was sunk awl six hundred lives saved put .jf a tota v i on board of about 1000. We must be thankful that so many as COO escaped, for the vessel was not built to resist torpedo attacks. It may be that the long run of good fortune that has been experienced hv the British and Colonial transports has obscured (he danger to which they have always been exposed, but we may fairly assume that there was no relaxation of watchfulness on the part of those responsible for the safety of the Royal Edward, and her precious human freight. That Germany will gloat over the achievement is only to be expected, for it is the first success of its kind that has come her way, and -she is entitled to make the most of it. At the same time the misfortune should, as the London press so aptly points out, serve to emphasise the triumph of

Britain's sea power in safely landing all previous forces. We can well understand that the officials responsible for the transporting of troops to the seat oS war liave had a most anxious and trying time, and we can rest assured that this solitary (ierman success will not in. the least affect the continuous flow of troops and munitions to the Dardanelles or any other point where they are needed. We cannot reasonably expect that the fortune of war will he ail on our side, but 'we can at least do our best to avenge every reverse, so that the loss of Lite Royal lidward should act as a further stimulant to swell the armed forces of the Allies, and to hasten the day when they can lay down their arms and enjoy the fruits of an enduring peace that has been secured by their courage and bravery.