COMMERCE RAIDER SUNK

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 March 1941, Page 5

COMMERCE RAIDER SUNK

DESTROYED BY NEW ZEALAND CRUISER IN INDIAN OCEAN H.M.S. Leander Suffers No Casualties (By Telegraph—Press Association.—Copyright.) WELLINGTON, This Day. A fast Italian merchant ship, armed with four 4.7-inch guns and acting as a commerce raider, has been destroyed in the Indian Ocean by H.M.S. Leander (Captain R. H. Bevan, R.N.), a cruiser of the New Zealand Squadron. This announcement was made last evening by the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser. The Italian ship, said Mr Fraser, was Ramb I, of 3667 tons, capable of a speed of 18| knots, and owned by the Italian Government. She was flying the Red Ensign when intercepted by the Leander. On being ordered to stop the Ramb I hoisted the Italians colours and opened fire on the Leander with her guns mounted on forecastle and poop. The Leander at once replied and after firing five salvoes Ramb I struck her flag. Eleven officers and 89 men were picked up by the Leander and are now prisoners of war. Among those rescued were five wounded, The Ramb I burned fiercely and sank about 50 minutes later. No damage or casualties were sustained by the Leander. The Leander is of'the same class as the Ajax and Achilles and is of 7270 tons. She is armed with eight six-inch guns and . a number of smaller gnus. The Leander was launched in 193.1 and in 1937 was transferred to the New Zealand Squadron.