RAIDER DESTROYED

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21366, 10 March 1941, Page 4

RAIDER DESTROYED

ITALIAN NIERCHANTMAN INDIAN OCEAN ENCOUNTER (By Telcg'l'apn.‘rress Association) WELLINGTON, Sunday The Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, made the following announcement tonight:— “A fast Italian merchant ship armed with four 4.7 m. 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. “The Italian ship was the Ramb 1., of 3667 tons, capable of a speed of 185. knots, and owned by the Italian Government. She was flying the Red Ensign when intercepted by the Leandet. - “On being ordered to stop the Ramb I. hoisted Italian colours and opened fire on the Leander with guns mounted on her forecastle and poop. The Leander at once replied and after firing five salvoes the 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 suffered by the Leander." Captain Bevan has held his present rank since June, 1935. In 1937—38 he was British Naval Attache at Rome. and in 1939 he attended a senior ofiicers’ war course. Wing-Com-mander H. C. Bevan, military secre—tary to the Governor-General, Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir. Cyril Newall, is a brother. The Ramb I. was a twin-screw vessel fitted with oil engines. She was completed at Genoa in 1937. The ship was 383t't. long with a beam of 49“. and a draught of 24ft.