THE DESTROYER ACTION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXV, Issue 9140, 14 May 1915, Page 5

THE DESTROYER ACTION.

TRAWLERS ENGAGE TORPEDO

BOATS.

ENEMY SHIPS SUNK

The High Commissioner lvportti:— LONDON, May 13 (SUS a.m.) The Admiralty announces that H.M. ships Barbados, Columbia, Aliur'.'i, and Chirsit were attacked on May 1 by two ,- German torpedo goats. The engagement lasted for a quarter ■ of an hour, when the enemy broke oft' ". the action.

The direction of their ' retreat, was communicated to some British 'destroyers, which followed and destroyed, the torpedo-boats. The Columbia, ho wove r a Y was sunk, ■ with the loss of 16' officers and men, only one dock hand being saved. "

The Barbados, Columbia, Chirsit^and Miura are trawlers Lflongiug to ; Grimsby and Hull, commissioned as H.M. ships and employed ■on patrol and mine-sweeping duty in the North Sea. They arc farmed with quick-firing guns to deal with enemy submarines. After the Columbia had been torpedoed, • the German torpedo-boats were chased ,by -the' British destroyers, Laforcy, Lark, Lawford, and Leonidap, viliich sank them after a running fight lasting an hour. The Germans, when overhauled, made an extremely poor fight, ' their shooting being erratic. Two German officers and 44 men were rescued " and made prisoners. It was reported that the German officers shot five of ' their men in the water. •