ON THE SEA.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 February 1916, Page 5

ON THE SEA.

9HE APPAM. CAPTURED BY GERMAN SUBMARINE AND TAKEN TO AMERICAN" PORT. New York, Feb. I. Information from Newport News states that the South African liner Appam, from Dakar, arrived there under the German flag and with a German prize crew on board. She had been captured by Germans en route to Britain. Many German prisoners were on board and also prominent British ofiicials. A German submarine captured the Appam off the Canary Islands on January 15. Dtlier vessels were later attacked and the passengers, taken off.

The State Department is endeavoring to decide the Appam's status. Newport News reports that a German prize crew of twenty-two men, under the command of Lieut. Berg, captured the Appam. The passengers are believed to include Sir Edward and Ladv Merewether, Messrs Frederick Seton, .lames Francis, Charles Fuller and other prominent colonials. Many women were on board. The passengers appear lo be safe.

Further information from Newport News states that a German submarine captured another vessel, put a crew and guns on board, and used it to capture the Appam. The submarine sunk an Australian meat ship, taking off the passengers.

The British Consul lias vrarned British shipping of dangers from German submarines in American waters.

A GERMAN RAIDER, 'f ;Y V'Tvi New York. Feb. 7,

Renter's Norfolk correspondent states that the Appam was captured by the German raider Moewe off the Canary Islands on January 15. She had 401 people on board, including 138 survivors of the following ships sunk by the Moewe. namely, Trader, Colbridge, Ariadne, Dromonby, Farringford, Clan McTavish and Arthur. There are among the passengers four wounded sailors, said to be survivors of an Australian meat carrier which gave battle to the Germans.

WASHINGTON IN A FIX. LIVELY PROCEEDINGS FORESHADOWED. , r.,„ Received Feb. 2, 5.5 p.m.- . Washington, Feb. I. The State Department is puzzled at the Appam's status, and is undecided whether to intern her and all non-com-batants. She will probably be freed, and British warships are ready to recapture her if it is decided that she will dash seawards. Complications may be expected. OFFICIAL CONFIRMATION Received Feb. 2, 10.20 p.m. London, Feb. 1. The steamer Appam has arrived at Norfolk (Virginia) j with a German prize crew aboard. THE CLAN McTAVISH. FIGHTS THE RAIDER. ■ Received Feb, 2, 5,5 p.m. London, Feb. 1. Newport News reports that the Clan McTavish gave battle to the submarine before she was sunk. She was. bound from Fremantlc to London. The Germans secured the meat before they sunk her. (The Clan McTavish took the following cargo from New Zealand:—o3 casks 'tallow, 12,740 carcases sheep, 7909 carcases lamb, 8883 quarters of beef, 738 bags of mutton pieces.)

OFF NORWAY. MUCH NAVAL ANXIETY. Christiania, Feb. 1. Tiie Morgenblads declares that extraordinary British and German naval activity is in evidence on the Norwegian coast and a clash is possible at any time. British warships and German submarines have .been observed outside territorial waters. Reports from various parts of the Laeder coast say that a number o[ cruisers and destroyers were seen going southwards and keeping close to the land. THE DETERMINING FACTOR. GERMANS REALISING IT. London, Feb. 1. The editor of the Deutsches Journal, who was recently in Berlin, says that the Kaiser's military advisers fully appreciate that Britisli sea power is the determining factor in the war. High militarists declare that Germany could take Paris, perhaps Petrograd. and drive the Italians into the sea, but thai.would make no difi'erence to England. The more territory Germany occupied the thinner became her lines and the more help it was to England. DANISH STEAMER RELEASED. Copenhagen, Feb. 1. The Vidar, a Danish steamer, which was captured by a German submarine while conveying provisions to England and taken to Swinemunde, has been released.