ON THE SEA.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 May 1918, Page 5

ON THE SEA.

MOTOR LAUNCHES AND TRAWLERS. SPLENDID SERVICES RECOGNISED. London f April 29. Ihe excellent work of the motor launches in the Zeebrugge attack calls attention to the splendid services of these craft throughout the war. The motor launches of the auxiliary patrol are chiefly manned by men who were amateur yachtsmen in peace time. It consisted in the early war days of pleasure craft, but since then these have been replaced by specially constructed launches. Year after year they have kept the seas in the worst weather When other vessels have been compelled to seek shelter. They have carried out a great part of the searching and clearing mine areas and lighting U-boats. The Admiralty records eontaih many instances of the fine work of trawlers which arc manned chiefly by fishermen. One naval reservist commanding a trawler was instrumental in saving 256 survivors from eight torpedoed ships in his area. Y.M.C.A. VESSEL SUNK. Received April 30, 5,5 p.m. London, April 29. An American Y.M.C.A. steamer has been torpedoed. Three lives were lost and 31 of the survivors landed, including Lady Holmes, an Australian. Received April 30, 3.40 p.m. London, April 29. The Canadian liner Oronsa, en route to England, was torpedoed. The passengers were savedReceived April 30, 1010 p.m. ' .• London, April 29. The Y.M.C.A. steamer was the Bfrtiah steamer Ori'ssa, not an American. She was torpedoed at night, and her toiler* ■blew upReceived May 1 12.45 a.m. Sydney, April 30. Mr. Harry Holmes is mentioned as being amongst the lost in the Y.M.C.A. steamer. He wtis formerly general secretary of tlie Y.M.C.A., in Wellington. Latest messages indicate that this steamer was identical with the Oronsa, STEAMER LAUNCHED AT DUNKIRK Paris, April 29. A 19,000 ton cargo steamer has been launched at Dunkirk, despite German attempts to retard the work and destroy the yard.