SHELLING OF SHIP

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 21, 4 November 1938, Page 5

SHELLING OF SHIP

THE NORTH SEA INCIDENT. A TERRIFIC BOMBARDMENT. RESCUE OF ALL THE CREW. (United Press Association—Copyright.) LONDON, November 2, The Spanish insurgent motor-vessel Nadir shelled for three hours off the Norfolk coast, tho Spanish steamer Cantabria, which is operated by the MidAtlantic Shipping Company, of London. The greatest excitement was caused on the coast, where houses were shaken for hours by the gunfire. The Spanish Embassy stated that the attacker was probably one of General Franco's trawlers known to be going to Germany to have guns fitted. She was retrruing to tho Mediterranean from Hamburg. The naval correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” says, that Britain took no action because the shelling was done outside the three-mile limit. Official circles consider that the incident is a prelude to a new campaign by General Franco to intercept Government steamers on the high seas. If his activities are confined to such .ships no objection can be raised. The Cromer lifeboat .put out and picked up the Cantabria’s skipper, Manual Ardulles, his wife, a son, aged six, a daughter, aged eight, and a steward. Meanwhile the British steamer Pattersonian signalled the Great Yarmouth •coastguard that she had 11 members of the crew of the Cantabria on board. A lifeboat was sent out and the men were * taken ashore. “There were 45 aboard the Cantabria, including eight of my family and relatives. Shells holed the hull and the ship began to list. We continued to send out the SOS. The attacker had five guns, all firing. •

“A passing vessel later took off some 'members of the crew. One boatload was picked up by the Nadir.” A member of the lifeboat crew said that the attacker steamed off as they came up. “We went close but the crew yelled that it was a Fascist ship and warned us not to approach.”

THE RESCUER’S NARRATIVE. ATTEMPT TO HEAD HIM OFF. VICTIM NOT A BRITISH SHIP. (Independent Cable Service). (Received This Day, 9.35 5a.m.) LONDON, November 3. The Board of Trade officially states that the Cantabria is not a. British ship in terms of international law. The captain of the Pattersonian stated that he first, sighted the Cantabria and the Nadir about 300 yards apart. The afterpart of the Cantabria was enveloped in steam. A boat was lowered and he headed the Pattersonian for the boat. As he did so the Nadir reversed.' “I had to reverse qUickly to avoid a collision,” said the captain. “I feel certain it was a deliberate attempt to head me off. We went forward again and picked lip the men, who were terrified that they would be sent to Nadir.”;., .

GREAT SPEED OF THE NADIR. GERMANS SAID TO BE ABOARD. (Received This Day, 10.5 a.m.) LONDbN, November 3. The Nadir was photographed from a ’plane as she was steaming at full speed down the English Channel. An illustration gn the evening papers reveals her great speed with a big bow wake and rakish merchantman design, similar to the Awatea. Although the picture was taken close up her guns are invisible. A sailor‘on. the Cantabria declared that" German sailors, were aboard.