ON THE SEA.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 November 1917, Page 5

ON THE SEA.

PATROL VESSEL TORPEDOED. NINE lives lost. Aus. and N.Z, Cable Assoc. and Renter. Received Nov. 22, 0.5 p.m. London, Nov. 21. _ The Admiralty reports that a submarine torpedoed a patrol vessel in the Mediterranean on Sundav. four officers THE ACTION OFF HELIGOLAND OFFICIAL REPORT. THREE ENEMY SHIPS DAMAGED.

Aus. and N./. Cable Assoc. and Reuter. Received Nov. 22 0,.5 .p.m.

London, Nov. 31. Tho Admiralty supplies the following details of Saturday's action in Heligoland Bight:

_ Towards eight o'clock we aiglitcd four light cruisers on a northerly course, accompanied by destroyers' and minesweepers, or patrol vessels. The latter escaped towards the north-east. One was sunk by t'lio destroyers' gunfire, a number of survivors being rescued. The light cruisers and destroyers turned for Heligoland, and were pursued through the mine-fiekls.

A running engagement ensued under a heavy smoke screen, until we sighted four battleships and battle-ccruisers. Our advanced forces then broke off the en,cafjement and turned back to nuvt '"ir supports outside the mine-fields. Owing to these we were compelled to keep to the line taken by the enemy, consequently the area l was too restricted for the supporting ships to manoeuvre, in. and the enemy did not follow us outside tlio mine-fields. We scored a number of bits, and a light cruiser was seen to be afire. There was a heavy explosion on another, whilst a third dropped behind damaged, their destruction being prevented by the presence of the enemy's large vessels and the proximity to Heligoland.

Our damage was slight, there being some casualties among the officers and Men in exposed positions, and five men being killed. THE GERMAN VERSION. A NraißEß OF HITS CLAIMED. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Reuter. Received Nov. 22, 0.5 p.m. London, Nov, 21. Wireless German official: Besides many small British cruisers and destroyers in the Bight on Saturday, six ships of the line or battle cruisers participated. The British Admiralty's report refers only to light cruisers, but the British advance was quickly opposed with adequate forces, causing them to retire. A number of hits on the enemy ships and destroyers were obtained. German aeroplanes bombarded the large warships.