ON THE SEA.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 May 1918, Page 5

ON THE SEA.

COMBATTING SUBMARINES. MLNJiS THE .MUST EFFECTIVE MEANS. JELLICOIi'S l'OUCif JUSTIFIED. Received May 5, 5.20 p.m. London, May 4. Mr. Archibald Hnvd. writing i"n the Daily Telegraph, discussing the new danger zone in the North Sea. as cabled on May 1, says it reveals an old, wellgunrded secret. The wisdom of the policy of allowing the submarines to reach the high seas and hunting them there lias been long doubted, and it was felt it was better to block their exits. The Admiralty has admitted that nets have not been a success as a barrage, and that the only effective barrage would consist of an enormous mine-field. This scheme was begun under Admiral Jellicoe, and the work must have occupied at least, a year. Many establishments were kept busy making tens of thousands of mines and other contrivances. The new danger zone covers over 120,000 square miles. Mines eariier in the war were often defective, but many improvements were effected. After Admiral Jellicoe became First Sea Lord he turned his attention to the problem almost immediately. He had been called to the Admiralty to fight (lie submarines, and he decided the only «ay was to prevent them reaching the trade routes. Every seaman realised that mines would do this better than anything else. It would now appear that Admiral Jellicoe was alluding to this new minefield when he prophesied that the submarine would be. mastered next August. Mr. Hunt points out that the mines will be specially effective aginst Germany's latest submarines, owing to the latter's great bulk.—Press Association. THE ZEEBRUGCE RAID. PLANS APPROVED BY JELLICOE. Received May 5, 5,5 p.m. London, May 4. Admiral Koyes states that the Zeebrujisre plans were approved while Admiral Jellicoo was First Lord, and that Admiral .lellieoe greatly helped and encouraged the operations.—Press Assoc. THE ZEEBRUCGE CHANNEL. NOW ABSOLUTELY UNUSABLE. HARBOR MAY SILT UP. Received May 5, 5.5 p.m. London, May 4. Airmen report that the Zeebrugge channel is now absolutely unusable. Dredging is most difficult, owing to the fact that the Thetis is resting ou the edge of a shoal. There is danger of the harbor silting up.—Press Association. CHEVRONS FOR NAVAL MEN. FOR EACH YEAR OF SERVICE. MEN FROM DOMINIONS PARTICIPATE. Received May 5, 5.5 p.m. London, May 4. The Admiralty announces that a distinctive chevron will be issued. All descriptions of the naval personnel, including women, who began their sea service in 1914, with an additional chevron for each year of subsequent service, similar to the military arrangements. Those from the Dominions will be eligible for the award in respect to service outside their own country.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assoc. A STEAMER'S EXCITING EXPERIENCES. Received May 5, 5.5 p.m. Paris, May 3. The French steamer Provence narrowly escaped being torpedoed in the Mediterranean on the morning of April ]B, but she was torpedoed the same evening. The steamer, however, reached •Palamos, where she grounded.—Press Association.