ON THE SEA.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 March 1917, Page 5

ON THE SEA.

HOSPITAL SHIP SUNK. MANY LIVES LOST. / London, March 27. The hospital ship Asturias (12,002 tons) has been torpedoed without warning. Thirty-one lives were lost and twelve are missing. Tt is announced tnat twelve steamers have been lost since the Relief Commission started work, of which five have been sunk since ruthless submarining in February. These acts have taken place despite the German authorities having stated that they did not wish to interfere with ships carrying relief to Belgians. THE ADMIRALTY REPORT. NO WARNING GIVEN. RED CROSS SIGNS BRILLIANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE CASUALTIES. CLAIMED AS U-BOAT ACHIEVEMENT. A. & N.Z. Cabje Association and Renter. Received March 28, 11.20 p.m. London, March 28. The Admiralty reports that the .British hospital ship Asturias was steaming with all her navigation lights and ail her distinguishing Red. Cross signs brilliantly illuminated. She was torpedoed without warning on the night of the 20th. The military casualties consist of ]1 dead, three missing, including a female staff nurse, and 17 injured. The crew's casualties were 20 dead, nine missing, including the stewardess, and 22 injured. The torpedoing of this ship is an achievement claimed by U-boats, according to a German wireless press message.

VOYAGE OF THE ST. LOUIS. London, March 27. The St. Louis has arrived at Liverpool from New York. She is the first liner armed fore and aft to cross the Atlantic. There were many correspondents on board. No submarines were sighted. Barrels with periscopes were set afloat and hit at a two miles' range. There were thirty-three passengers, including five ladies, Lord Furness, and Mr. Joseph Martin, a member of the House of Commons. Captain Hartley and an American naval officer were on the. bridge for 71 hours.