ON THE SEA.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 April 1916, Page 5

ON THE SEA.

THE LOWESTOFT RAID. BRITISH CASUALTIES' London, April 26. A destroyer, which previously played I a 'prominent part in the North Sea, was in the thick of the Lowestoft fight. A shot penetrated the engine-room and four men were scalded. So far the British casualties approximate 25. 20 SHIPS IN ENEMY SQUADRON. \ Rotterdam, April 26. J A German raiding squadron was seen ( from Vlierand on Tuesday morning steaming east, and preceded by Zep- ( pelins. Twenty ships were counted. Heavy firing was heard seawards, THE FLEET NOT SEEN. THE GERMAN ACCOUNT. " REPORTED CAPTURE OF THE KING STEPHEN. Received April 27, 0.25 p.m. London, April 20. Lowestoft reports that the enemy ships were not seen, and must have fired at long range. They appeared to dash along the coast north and south, firing as rapidly as possible in the short time

at their disposal. At Yarmouth people flocked into the streets, regardless jf danger, and even scrambled for souvenirs of shells during the bombardment. Amsterdam reports that a German communique says: After bombarding, with good success, Yarmouth and Lowestoft, our warships shelled the enemy's airmen, small cruisers and destroyers, causing a big lire on o'ie cruiser and sinking a destroyer and two patrol boats. The latter included the King Stephen, which refused to rescue tlie crew of Zeppelin Ll9. We captured the King Stephen's crew. Our ships returned undamaged. We sank a British auxiliary off Zeebrugge and captured the crew.

OFFICIAL REPORT. ' THE DAMAGE DONE. WHERE THE RAIDERS' CAME FROM. London, April 25. Official: The bombardment of Lowestoft and Yarmouth began at 4 o'clock in the morning and lasted for an hour. Despite the fact that the enemy was using heavy guns the damage was comparatively slight.' A convalescent home, swimming bath, pier; and 40 buildings were extensively damaged, and 200 buildings slightly damaged. Two men, a woman and a child were killed, and three' seriously and one slightly injured. The enemy bombarded Great Yarmouth simultaneously. A large building was ignited and seriously damaged, and another slightly damaged, by shellfire. Experts opine that the battle cruisers consisted of the Derfiinger, Lutzow, Moltke, Seydlitz, and Hindenburg. The light cruisers were of the Emden class. The raiders came from Cuxliaven and Borkum. There was much public speculation as to the possibility of Admiral Jcllicoe cutting off he raiders before the finish of the hours' return journey. The general opinion was that the Germans had a great advantage owing to a large fleet of Zeppelins acting as scouts.