ON THE SEA.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 December 1916, Page 5

ON THE SEA.

j A THRILLING STORY. BENZINE VESSEL FIRSD BY ! SUBMARINE LAKES OF FIRE ON THE SFA. HEROIC CAPTAIN OF DESTROYER. Received Dec. 21, 5.5 p.m. London, Dec. 23. A thrilling story of naval heroism is revealed in connection with the sinking j of the steamer Conch, -which was torpedoed at 11 o'clock at night. Eight thousand tons of benzine were fired by tbe submarine, a huge conflagration ensuing. By 3 o'clock in the morning,; when a British destroyer was sighted, the blaze was discovered. The Conch was then burning fore and aft, and ploughing along at eight knot'. The thirty men aboard were- huddled together, seemingly doomed. Three large steamers wer» a .quarter of a mile from the Conch, watching the terrifying .spectacle, but were powerless to help. The benzine welling o'ut of the Conch's side caused lakes of fire on the seu all round.

Realising the virtual impossibility of goiting alongside the blazing oil vessel, tlie captain of the destroyer thrice placed his destroyer across the bow? of the doomed ship, and threw overboard his rafts, Tirebelts, and buoys, ami finally his boats. He shouted to the crew to jump for their lives, and many that did so were saveil, but nine wev> still left after two hours' efforts. The ilames wore now only a few feet off, and the ship was lurching along dlrietjonless. The destroyer was without any lifewing apparatus now, and the captain, after 4S minutes' nerve-racking seamanship, placed his destroyer gently alongside the Conch, and all the doomed creatures were taken off. The destroyer safely cleared, and ten minutes later the Conch disappeared.

ARMED MERCHANTMEN , fiERMANY'S THREAT. i Received Dee. 24, 3.5 p.m. Zuvic-h, Dec. 23. It 13 reported that Germany lias deeded that, in view of Lord Robert Cecil's announcement as to the arming if merchant, ships, all such ve«e's will be sunk without warning, and the crews treated as pirates. HONORS FOR MERCANTILE MARINE. Received Dec. 24, 5.5 p.m. London, Dec. 23. Following upon the murder of Captain Fryatt and the capture of Captain Blaikie, the King has bestowed Distinguished Service Crosses or. ten captains of the mercantile service, also seven Distinguished Service' Medals, and a long : ■si of men are commended for good . MORE VESSELS SUNK. Received Dec. 24, 5.5 p.m. London, Dec. 23. The latest sinkings include the British vessels Murex and 1 tonus. There - were no Australians aboard the Norwegian Avona. FINNISH STEAMER SUNK. London, Dec. 22. ' The Finnish* passenger steamer Slcifket wais mined and sunk in the Gulf of Rothnia. One man was saved and 59 lost. ARABIA'S POSITION DEFINED. Received Dee. 24, 11.50 p.m. Washington, Dec. 23. 1 Britain 1 * reply states that the Arabia was never in the Government service, though she carried some Government passengers at the Government's expense. There were no Asiatics on board except the crew. She did not follow the regular route because of submarines. i