ON THE SEA.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 May 1918, Page 5

ON THE SEA.

U-BOAT ATROCITIES. NORWEGIAN VESSELS SUNK. Christiania, May 21. Advices from northern ports give particulars of further U-boat atrocities in the Arctic Ocean. Nearly 50 fishing boats with crows totalling 500 have been sunk or arc missing. In one ease 22 men were brought to Vandagubba in the mail boat. This boat was carrying passengers and mails between Vardoe and Russia, and was fired upon in Vandagubba harbor. Ten, including two, women, were killed. The submarine commander declared his intention of sinking all Norwegian fishing boats because their oil catches were destined for Enpland. This is untrue, as the export of oil is prohibited. A telegram from Hammerfest states that the Binking of fishing vessels is accompanied by the customary murders of members of the crew after they have taken to the boats.—Renter. MEDITERRANEAN CONTROL ITALIAN SATISFACTION. London, May 21. The Italian Minister of Marine, interviewed by Mr. Ward Price, stated: "There is good reason to believe that we are masters of the submarine situation in the Mediterranean. The Allied fleets have destroyed a great many U-boats, despite the difficulties, which are greater than in the North Sea. "The naval situation in the Mediterranean may be regarded with confidence. The Austrian navy shows no sign of turning out to find us, and we are well prepared if it does. "There are rumors that the Germans intend to fit out Russian vessels for raids in the Aegean from the Black Sea, but the probabilities of their achieving success are small.."—Aus. N.Z. Cable Association. ZEEBRUGGE AND OSTEND BASES. WILL HAVE TO BE ABANDONED. Received May 22, 7.30 p.m. Amsterdam, May 21. A report from Berlin states that Zeebrugge and Ostend are so damaged that they will have to be abandoned as submarine bases.—Press Association. DUTCH SHIPPING. OVERSEAS SAILING PROHIBITED. Received May 22, 7.30 p.m. London, May 21. Reuter's Hague correspondent states that all sailings of Dutch ships from Dutch ports, excepting sailers and coastal craft, are prohibited. No explanation is so far forthcoming.—Beater. MASTERING SUBMARINES. OPERATIONS IN MEDITERRANEAN. Received May 23, 1 ajn. Washington, May 21. The United Press correspondent interviewed Admiral Delbone at Venice. The Admiral stated that the enemy submarines in the Mediterranean were being mastered, a great many having been rank.—United Press. SUBMARINE LOSSES. APPRECIABLY DECREASING. Received May 23, 1 a.m. Washington, May 21. The Navy Department has announced that the losses to British and Allied (dripping during April from submarines tvag 25 per cent, less than in March. A further decrease is expected in May.— Press Association. A SPANISH DERELICT. FATE OF CREW UNKNOWN. Received May 23, 1.5 a.m. Las 'Palmas, May 22. The Spanish sailor Joaqueine has been brought in. She was found drifting, a derelict, close to the African coast. There tire signs of gunshot damage by submarine. The fate of the crew is unknown. AMERICANOIL-TANKER LOST. Washington, May 21. The oil-tanker William Rockefeller ha 9 been lost at sea. There are no details.— Aug. N.Z. Cable Assoc.