ON THE SEA.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 March 1917, Page 5

ON THE SEA.

AUSTRALIAN SEA ROUTES. MENACED BY A RAIDER, STATEMENT BY NAVY MINISTER, j THE WAR BROUGHT NEARER. Received March S, 10.15 p.m. 3 ti Sydney, March 8. c . The Melbourne mystery surrounding 1 a vague report concerning the danger of c shipping off the Australian coasts is c now officially verified. The Minister for 1 the Navy announced in the House that ' definite information had been received < that a raider was operating between j Colombo and Aden on February 27. The ' raider is a cargo steamer of 4000 tons, carrying guns, torpedo tubes, and a seaplane. The Minister, while giving a J caution against panic or checking the ' sailings of merchant ships, pointed oiu ' that as a raid on the Australian routes ' was not impossible, it was one against 1 which we must take precautions. Not * since the Sydney sank the Emden have tlie trade routes in these waters been so directly threatened. The raider brought- the war a litlte closer to our p'Brt of the world. RUSSIAN CRUISER DAMAGED. BY STRIKING A MINE. INCREASED INSURANCE RATES. ; Reuter Service. Received March 8, 10.30 p.m. New York, March 8. A Berlin message states that the Russian armored cruiser Rusik struck a mine in the Gulf of Finland 'and was badly damaged. Insurances to Britain have increa'seo from 0 to 7 per cent, to 8 to 10 per cent., and cargo rates have jumped. A NAVAL HERO. HOW HE DIED. London, March 7. A full account of the loss of the Shark at the Jutland fight, given by survivors shows that, when the Shark was nearing her end ten German destroyers and light .cruisers came up and opened 'ire at OOG yards. When Commander Jones' leg was blown off, two seamen ran up with a piece of wood and a rope to Btop the Weeding. * Commander Jones asked them to leave him, but they replied, "We must do it for your good sir." While the seamen adjusted the tourniquet Commander Jones sat on the deck and suddenly asked. What's wrong with the ensign." A seaman replied, "It has been shot down, sir.'' Commander Jones replied "'Hoist another." A midshipman and seaman obeyed. The captain remarked "That's good," and seemed content afterwards. When the Shark sank the survivors found a raft and hauled Commander Jones on board. I j THE GERMAN FLEET. 1 TO BE SENT OUT. Rome, March 7. II Corriere d'ltalia learns from a 1 German source that Germany intends to 1 follow up the submarine campaign ' by sending out the whole of her fleet ' to engage in a decisive battle. The Tribuna .mderstands that the ■ Central Powers are preparing for great ; simultaneous offensives in France and ; Italy.