NORTH SEA SHELLING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 22, 5 November 1938, Page 5

NORTH SEA SHELLING.

THE CAPTAIN’S ACCOUNT. LIFEBOAT CREW’S GALLANTRY. (United Press Association-r—Copyright.) LONDON, November 3. The Board or Trade officially states that the Cantabria, which was shelled and sunk in the Sea by the Spanish insurgent trawler Nadir, is not a British ship ‘in the terms of international IaAV.

Mr C. L. Burbridge, a director of the Mid-Atlantic Shipping Company, Avhich operated the Cantabria, said: “The whole thing is criminal, The Cantabria Avas unarmed and was engaged in perfectly normal trade between Baltic ports and England. She Ava 3 en route to Leningrad to load timber.’’ The Admiralty and Lloyd’s have called for a full report of the incident, but action) is most improbable. A United Press Association message says that the AA’reclc of the Cantabriawas located in 15 fathoms of water 10 miles off the coast.

Numerous telegrams have been received by the creAV of the Cromer lifeboat, conveying the warmest praise for their gallantry. “1 shudder to think Avliat will happen to our shipmates on hoard the Nadir,” declared Captain Ardulles, master of the Cantabria, Avhen standing with his Avife on the cliffs overlooking the M.ene of the action. “It is difficult to optline a nightmare. It Avas a hot 2£ hours. Nothing would induce us to surrenler. “One shell shot aAvay the bridge «nd smashed the wheel, and the helmsman raced for his life. I had control of the ship when she was sinking,. I implored my wife to leave with the .children, to Avhich she replied, ‘ I would rather die than he taken by the insurgents.’ ”

Mrs Ardulles, in Spanish, repeatedly declared, “It Avas terrible, terrible.” Captain Ardulles, Avitli his family, has gone to Yarmouth to join the crew. There is no trace of those who Avere reported to have been picked up by the Nadir. The Nadir disappeared in the darkness after refusing to atiSAver Morse signals.