ON THE SEA.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 August 1915, Page 5

ON THE SEA.

BRITISH TRANSPORT SUNK. A THOUSAND LIVES IJOSO.', ANOTHER NAIL IN THE GERMAN COFFIN. Wellington, August 18. The High Commissioner reports under date London, August 17 (1.30 pan.):— The Admiralty announces that the British transport Royal Edward was sunk by a German submarine in the Agean Sea on Saturday. According to the information available, the transport had 32 military officers and 1350 troops and a ship's crew of 220 officers and men. The troops were mainly reinforcements for the 29th division and details of the R.AjM.C. It is known that about COO men wexe saved. (The 20th Division is the British force which is at the southern extremity of the peninsula. It is therefore probable that no New Zealanders were among the troops. The Royal Edward is n vessel of 11,117 tons, owned by the Canadian Northern Steamship Company.'-' She was built in 1008 and had a speed of 19 knots.) EMPHASISING THE NAVY'S WORK. THE LOSS A TRIUMPH. Received August 18, 10.10 p.m. London, August 18. The newspapers, while considering the enemy has scored a legitimate success in sinking the Royal Edward, pays tributes to the Navy's splendid guardianship in protecting hundreds of thousands of troops on all the seas of the globe, including convoys from Buch remote dominions as Australia and New Zealand. The Daily Mail says that ithe shock of the event seems greater by reason •of its rarity, and throws into vivid relief the Navy's wonderful achievement in the first year of the war. The Daily News says that there is ample material in three friendly navies patrolling eastern seas for countering any measures threatening the safety oi ships. Therefore there is no fear that a German torpedo will divert from Gallipoli a man, a shell, or an ounce of stores. The Daily Telegraph eays that the Royal Edward's tate suggests not a failure, but a triumph of our sea power, Only when the war is over will the public realise the harassing burdens the transport services have thrown on the navy,. That is many as six hundred should he saved is almost a miracle, as the Royal Edward was not built to resist torpedoes.