ON THE SEA.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 October 1918, Page 4

ON THE SEA.

THE BELGIAN PORTS. A DAEING "AID. VESSEL TORPEDOED AT ZEEBRUGGE. BELGIAN KING ANjJ., QUEEN VISIT OSTUND. Received Oct. 20, 5.5 p.m. London, Oct. 18. The Press Bureau states that British monitors on the 14th shelled the inland areas on the Belgian coast, and drew no reply, suggesting that the enemy had ! withdrawn his heavy batteries, British ships subsequently, under cover of smoke screens, making a reconnaissance inshore, met with shells from all calibres from the coast, no damage being caused.

Coastal motor boats visited Zeebruj;?n with a view to torpedoing the late Captain Fryatt's steamer —the Briissels—lying alongside the mole. Aeroplanes, co-operating, dropped, flares, afterwards bombing actively. The motor boats observed a wreck lying iu the fairwry, and although the chances of failure were great, owiu; to the shallowness of the water anil the narrowness of the opening, the motor-boats fired torpedoes at a range of four hundred yards. Officers agree that the torpedoes hit the Brussels in the stern. Tlie raiders, despite the gunfire, returned without a casualty. Admiral Keyes reports; The situation between Nieuport and Ostend on the morning of the 17th was obscure. It seemed uncertain whether the enemy had withdrawn. No fires were started in' either Middelkerke or Ostend. A division of destroyers reconnoitred the coast, aircraft assisting. They arrived at Ostend at 11 a.m. An aeroplane landed on the beach, where large crowds of inhabitants assembled. I entered the harbor in u whaler, and landed at 11,30* meeting with a great reception.

The enemy was not yet clear of tha own, and a light battery at Lecoq opened Are on the ships, two shells falling ort the beach close to the crowd. A heavy battery of four guns, from the direction of Zeebrugge, opened fire on the destroyers, and as it seemed possible that tho presence of naval forces would lead to the bombardment of Ostend, or to more shells falling in the town, thus endangering the lives of' the: civilians parading, the streets, I decided to . withdraw the naval force, and give the enemy no ex-! ruse for firing at Ostend. I re-embarked( and tho destroyers withdrew, being heavj ily shelled, to just eastward, of Middelf kerkei Four motor launches remained) at Ostend as an inshore patrol. The in{ habitants were nervous lest the should return. I

The Kiir and Queen' of ; tire expressed a wish to visit Ostend by se» or air. Owing to the difficulty of'landing, and, the uncertainty of the they proceeded in the British destroyer Termagant tc the vicinity of' Ostend) where they were received on landing with indescribable enthusiasm. They returned to Dunkirk at tea at night, Tho British naval forces were nod damaged, and no casualty suffered.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Reuter.

GERMANS SINK SHIPS.

: TO i BLOCK FAIRWAY AT OSTEND. Received Oct. 20, 5.5 p.m. London, Oct. 10. The Germans, before evacuating Ostend, sank a large paddle steamer, with the object of blocking the fairway between. the Vindictive aud the pier. Other small craft were sunk in the harbor,—* Aus. Cable Assoc. i

FACILITATING DEMOBILISE HON.

GOVERNMENT PURCHASES tiiNERS. Received Oct. 10, 5.5 p.m. London, Oct 18. i Extraordinary interest is manifested in shipping circles in connection with the report that the Government lias decided to buy out the Cunard, P. & 0., and Furne.fes, Withy Lines, in order to facilitate the demobilisation scheme. It does not involve the winding up of the companies, which wiir'b-jld new vessels, Tho Government will probably announce its policy without delay, in view of the urgency of placing early ■ orders for. new construction.—Aus. and N.& Cable Assoc.

BRITISH SHIPPING,

I IUKALYSED BY GOVERNMENT CONTROL [, deceived Oct. 19, &.b p.m. London, Oct. 18. Lord Inchcape says that British shipping will only recover its pre-war position if the paralysing influence of Government control ia removed at the earliest possible moment; also that * theM should ,be a. clear and early declaration as to whether the State intends to be* come its own shipbuilder and shipowner. The present uncertainty is frightening capital away and stifling enterprisau—i* Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc

TRANSPORT FIGHTS U-BOAT,

Received Oct. 20, 5.5 p.m. ■ New York, Oct. 19. Arrivals at an Atlantio' port- stw* that an Ainerloan westward-boun-' pprt fougbt off a V i* a two-bows Two Ame >j cana S I six wp ™ded.—Aus. N-Z. vflOle , lS soc. and Eeuter.