ALCANTARA AT RIO

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 August 1940, Page 6

ALCANTARA AT RIO

FOLLOWING ON FIGHT WITH RAIDER STORY OF ACTION TOLD BY CAPTAIN. ENEMY SHIP LUCKY TO GET AWAY. IBy Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day. 9.15 a.m.) RIO DE JANEIRO, August 1. The United Press of America correspondent, who went aboard the Alcantara on her arrival here, ascertained that the guns and armour were not affected. An officer stated that the damage sustained was slight and could be repaired in two or three days. Captain Ingham confirmed that one officer and one rating were killed and seven men wounded. The latter are still aboard. It was asserted that the German raider was badly damaged by repeated hits. The crew was very cheerful. Describing the engagement. Captain Ingham said: “A ship’s topmasts were sighted on Sunday forenoon. The Alcantara investigated and was overhauling the ship when she turned and disclosed her identity by hoisting the Swastika ensign, simultaneously opening fire, which we immediately returned, scoring hits. Obviously for this reason, the enemy's firing became erratic. It was also clear that we had inflicted internal damage, as the enemy considerably reduced her speed. Unfortunately a lucky shot holed the Alcantara's engine room. The enemy vanished behind a smokescreen. We were unable to maintain sufficient speed to keep within gun range of the enemy. Aside from the hit in the engine room, the Alcantara’s damage is slight.” The Alcantara's dead are Lieutenant Pickcrsgill and Able Seaman Coogan." The wounded ratings, appearing with arms in slings, declared: "We are ready for them again any time.” Only one of the Alcantara’s normal two funnels was visible from the shore as she arrived.