VESSEL TORPEDOED

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20739, 24 February 1939, Page 8

VESSEL TORPEDOED

A MYSTERIOUS MESSAGE NO RECEPTION BY WARSHIPS (independent Cable) (Received Feb. 24, 3.15 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 23 Prench circles state that several Prencii warships are in the vicinity of the Azores, but none picked up the “5.0.5.” reporting that a vessel had been torpedoed.

Yesterday it was reported that a message had been received stating that a vessel had been torpedoed and was sinking.

REGARDED AS A HOAX

AMERICAN SEARCH ABANDONED SUBMARINES IN THE VICINITY (United Pres* Assn.—Elec. TeL Copyright! (Received Feb. 24, 3.15 p.m.) NEW YORK, Peb. 23 The 4 *S.O.S.** message with the callsign P-E-C.G-, is regarded as a hoax, and the search has been abandoned. It is believed that an amateur operator in South Europe or the Azores Islands was responsible. A later London message states that the master has radioed the owners that the Pecten will arrive at Southampton on February 26. HORTA (Azores), Peb. 23 A steamer arriving on February 17 reported two submarines of unknown nationality south of Fayal Island. It is pointed out that naval manoeuvres are common in the vicinity of Fayal Island in the springtime. Two German cruisers and one supply ship visited Horta last week, while two Italian cruisers and one supply ship arrived on February 22. A Dutch warship is expected.