THE GERMAN FLEET

Taranaki Daily News, 24 June 1919, Page 5

THE GERMAN FLEET

HOW THE COUP WAS EFFECTED. Many British Ships Away.

No Germans Allowed to Land.

By Telegraph.—Press Assn.— Copyr'ght. Received June 24, 1.30 p.m. London, June 22. The Scapa Flow coup was carried out (it noon, when many British ships had put to Aea for exercise, the Germans interpreting that "the watch would ba somewhat relaxed.

After the German- ensign was run up, the crews of the destroyers were seen to be leaving in small boats, which had been moored astern. When the British vessels were ordered to fire the Germans still aboard jumped into the sea. Our craft picked up a number. Steps were taken to intercept the Bwimmers, none being allowed to land. All were sent aboard the Imperious and Victorious and other ships. Admiral - von Reuter reached Houton early and asked the men at the aviation station to rescue the German sailors from the water.

. Some destroyers beached the Fara and two light cruisers in Swanbister Bay, and one off Cava Island. One of the sunken battleships was discerned from the shore bottom upwards.

The battle cruiser Hindenburg sunk whilst being towed to the shore. The funnels and masts are visible. The: Emden was beached. One cruiser was saved simply by being cast adrift and allowing the wind to drive her ashore.—Aus.-N.Z, Cable Assn. GROSS NEGLIGENCE EVIDENT. London, June 22. The Admiralty announced that, according to the latest reports from Scapa Flow, all the interned German battleships and battle-cruisers were sunk except the Baden. Five light cruisers were sunk and three beached. The local tugs beached eighteen destroyers and four are still afloat..

The German Rear-Admiral and most of the Germans from the ships sunk are in custody on board British warshipa. In accordance with the terms of the armistice the German ships were interned with skeleton German crews as caretakers. No British guards were on board.