LAST REPORT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 March 1942, Page 3

LAST REPORT

“After dark on February 28 the Perth left Tanjong Priok with the intention of passing through Sunda Strait (between Java and Sumatra) during the dark hours. During the night a report was received from the Perth which indicated that she had come into contact with a force of Japanese ships off St. Nicholas Point at about 11.30 p.m. Nothing, however, has been heard of the Perth or of the United States cruiser Houston, since that time. “On the same night the Exeter, who was unable to exceed half-speed, left Surabaya accompanied by H.M.S. Encounter and the United States destroyer Pope. In the forenoon of Sunday, March 1, the Exeter reported that she had sighted three enemy cruisers steering toward her. No further signals were received from the Exeter, the British destroyer Encounter or the Pope. “The Dutch destroyer Evertsen encountered two Japanese cruisers in Sunda Strait, and she was damaged and beached. The destroyer H.M.S. Stronghold and the sloop H.M.A.S. Yarra are also missing and must be considered lost. “It has not been possible to form any estimate of the damage inflicted on Ihe enemy by tfiese ships during their last actions. “All the other Allied warships which were in Java waters are known to be safe, except some small craft and auxiliaries, about which information is not yet available.” The casualties of the Allied navies were thus: — The British cruiser Exeter (8390 tons, six eight-inch guns), and the destroyers Jupiter (1690 tons), Electra and Encounter (both 1375 tons) and Stronghold (905 tons). The Australian cruiser Perth (7000 tons; eight six-inch guns), and sloop Yarra (1060 tons). The United States cruiser Houston (9050 tons; nine, eight-inch guns) ancl destroyer Pope (1190 tons). The Dutch cruisers Java (6670 tons; 10 5.9-inch guns) and De Ruyter (6450 tons; seven 5.9-inch guns), and destroyers Kortenaer and Evertsen (both 1310 tons).

The Exeter took part in the River Plate Battle against the Graf Spee, in which operation she was damaged early and had to fall out of the line. She was built at Devonport and completed in 1931. The Perth was formerly H.M.S. Amphion and was renamed in July, 1939, a few weeks before joining the Australian station. The sloop Yarra was built in Australia in 1935. The De Ruyter was built at Rotterdam and completed in 1936; the Java, at Flushing and completed in 1925; and the Houston at Newport News, and completed in 1930.