ON THE SEA.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 February 1918, Page 5

ON THE SEA.

CONVERTED AUSTRIAN LINER. ATTEMPT TO MAKE HER UNSISRABLE. » New York, Fel). 10. Mr. Saunders, chairman of the Naval Consulting Board, in a Bpeech, said that the United States has converted the Austrian liner Lucia, into a transport and equipped her with 1-2,003 airtight iwllkjfltted tp the hull, which made her, he believed, practically nnsinkable. Washington officials, however, state that the Lucia is hot yet regarded as a complete success--BINKIN- OF SPANISH SHIPS.' GRAVE SITUATION CREATED. The Hague, Feb. 10. The newspapers regard the torpedoing of the Italian steamer Duca di Genova in Spanish waters as creating a grave situation- The Minister of Marine is investigating the circumstances. It is officially anounced that the Spanish steamer Sebastian, with a carjo of salt, has 'been torpedoed off the Canaries. The submarine commander declared that salt was contraband. RUMORED SINKING OF GERMAN CRUISER. London, Feb. 10. Ifff Gerald Fiennes, in the Observer, recounts that a British submarine followed an Armed German trawler through the net of a defended port and saw a new battle-cruiser at the quay. The submarine did not return, but the festivities arranged for the cruiser's trials n«V»r took place. ITie Observer connects the story with the faet that- the battle-cruiser Graf-Vojl-Spee Was launched some months ago. Nothing lias, been heard of her .since, though rumors of her destruction «(read in Germany and England.