FIVE WARSHIPS

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20989, 16 December 1939, Page 7

FIVE WARSHIPS

CRUISE OF DESTRUCTION

RULES OF WAR

HEROIC PART

WAITING FOR GRAF SPEE TIME FOR REPAIRS PERMISSION BY URUGUAY United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright LONDON, Dec. 15 British diplomatic circles in Montevideo confirm that the 10,000-ton cruiser Cumberland, which has eight 8-in. guns, has joined the guard over the Admiral Graf Spee. It was added that very likely the battle-cruiser Renown (32.000 tons, six 15in. guns), and Britain’s latest aircraft-carrier, the Ark Royal, are speeding to Montevideo. A message from Capetown says it is now permissible to reveal that the Ark Royal arrived at Capetown on December 3 with the Renown, and the two sailed next day for an undisclosed destination. Other reports say there are five British warships waiting off Montevideo. The Uruguayan Foreign Minister, Senor Alberto Guani, announced that the Uruguayan Government’s request that the Admiral Graf Spee should remain in Montevideo until repairs can be made.

Senor Guani said the period the ship could remain would be established after a survey by the Uruguayan naval authorities, but it would not be long.

Time would be allowed only for repairs necessary to enable the Admiral Graf Spee to navigate, and whether she could make repairs elsewhere would not be taken into consideration. A despatch from Bahia Blanca, Argentina, says the cruiser Exeter, which was damaged in the action with the Admiral Graf Spee, is ex - pected off Mar del Plata before morning on the way to Puerto Belgrano, where there is a dry dock which will accommodate her. It is understood that the Exeter requested that the dock should be made available. An aeroplane from the Exeter is reported to have arrived at Puerto Belgrano with three gravely-wounded men, two of whom have since died.

ADMIRAL GRAF SPEE’S VICTIMS ADMIRALTY REPORT (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright; (Received Dec. 16, 12.45 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 15 . The Admiralty has now traced the approximate course of the Admiral Graf Spee. After the sinking of the Clement on September 30 off Pernanbuco she sank the Newton Beach on October 6, on October 7 the Ashlea, the Huntsman on October 10, and the Trevannian on October 22, all northeast from St. Helena; whence she rounded the Cape and sank the Africa Shell on November 1, north-east from Lourenco Marques. Then again she rounded the Cape and sank the Doric Star on December 2, south-east from St. Helena, in latitude 20. She sank the Tairoa on December 3 and then steamed to Montevideo, sinking the Streonshalh en route.

The Shaw, Saville Company is advised from Montevideo that seven members of the crew of the Tairoa are aboard the Admiral Graf Spee but commander and remainder of the crew are aboard an enemy auxiliary.

PRAISE FOR COMMANDER REFRAINED FROM TORPEDOING (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Dec. 14 The respect for the rules of war shown by the commander of the submarine, who refrained from the only hostile action open to him, namely, the torpedoing of the Bremen without regard for life, was the subject of comment in the House of Lords and House of Commons. In both Houses Opposition speakers commended the behaviour of the commander. The British tanker San Alberto, of 7390 tons, has been damaged by enemy fiction off the south-west coast of England. One man is still missing. The German radio claimed on Wednesday that the San Alberto had been torpedoed.

NAVAL BOARD’S MESSAGE (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Friday The New Zealand Naval Board has sent its most hearty congratulations to Commodore H. H. Hardwood, Captain of the Exeter, and the officers and men under his command. FIRST LORD’S MESSAGE MOST GALLANT ACTION (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Friday Despatches received by the Government, which were read by the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, in a broadcast address tonight, included a message from the First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr Winston Churchill, referring to the Achilles. Mr Churchill’s message was:— “May I. express the warm admiration which my colleagues and I feel for the most gallant action fought by H.M.S. Achilles, whose services were so generously given on the outbreak of war.” The following reply has been sent to Mr Churchill by Mr Jones:—“My colleagues and I and Hie Naval Board very much appreciate your kind telegram. We are proud H.M.S. Achilles has been able to take part m this gallant naval action.”