DARING NAVAL RAID.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16210, 13 May 1918, Page 7

DARING NAVAL RAID.

OSTEND HARBOUR BLOCKED.

THE VINDICTIVE'S LAST EXPLOIT.

MAJOR-GENERAL MAURICE RETIRED.

4th YEAR—2BSth DAY.

OSTEND HARBOUR RAIDED.

ANOTHER GREAT

EXPLOIT

VINDICTIVE tSED AS A

BLOCKSKIP

(Bv Cable.—Press Association.— Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable ABWciatioii.) (Keuter's Telegrams.)

LONDON, May 10

Tho Admiralty reports:—'•Tiie operation designed to close tho ports of Ostcnd and Zocl»rugge w a s successfully completed on lhursday, when tho obsoloto cruiser Vindictive w ' assunk between tho piers and across the entrance to Ostcnd harbour. , "Since the attack on Zeebrugge, on April 23rd, tho Vindictive had been tilled with concrete ancl fittoa as a bloekS k'<Our light forces returned to thenbase with the loss of a motor-lanncn, which was damaged, and was sunk by tho Vice-Admiral's orders to prevent her falling into tho enemy's hands. Our casualties wero light."

The brilliant naval exploit recorded in tho above cablo message was the complement of tho naval attack, vith the object of blocking the entrance to the Bruges Ship Canal, at Zeebrugge, and the harbour at Ostcnd, made by a British forco on April 23rd. On that occasion obsolete light cruisers, tilled witli concrete, woro sent in, run aground blown up, and abandoned. • At Aeobruggo armed parties were landed to engage the garrlbon on tho mole, silenco the battery, and destroy a large seaplane station. Two old submarines, .filled with explosives, were directed against the open oiling connecting tho mole with the shore. Light forces and momtors co-operated. As a result of tho raid two crnisors wero succefesrully grounded at Ostend. Two of tho three cruisers at Zeebrugge attained thoir objectives the other going aground on the way in. It -was the Vindictive winch on that occasion took the landing party to the Zeebruggo breakwater, and after being raked fore and aft with shells, flook the men away at the best speedl sho ever made. Tho Vindictive was a second-clabs protected cruiser of tho Arrogant class, of 5750 tons, completed in 1897. Sho was armed with 10 6in guns, nine 12-pounders, and, threo 8-pounders. Her maximum speed was 19 knots.

STORY OF THE RAID,

(Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association.) (Received May 12th, 5.5 p.m.)

LONDON, May 11

The rescue of the Vindictive's crew was a very gallant operation, carried out under heavy firo. A great naval air raid the Vindictive's raid. British monitors also bombarded Ostend. The Vindictive sank obliquely off the pier, 150 or 200 yards therefrom. Monitors, destroyers, and smaller craft preceded the Vindictive to the entrance of Ostend. About two o'clock the weather suddenly thickened, and the Vindictive cruised about for 20 minutes beforo she sighted the pier. Tho commander then rammed her stem against the pier and the Vindictive grounded. The charges wero then blown.

Vice-Admiral Kcyes was present throughout tho operations at Ostond, aboard a small craft which was tho last vessel to return to Dover.

The flotilla of attackers afforded a splendid spectacle leaving Dover. It was a calm, clear night. The Vindictive was heavily sand-bagged, having the placo •of honour. She travelled slowly to Dunkirk, thence to Ostend, which was brilliantly lighted by a powerful searchlight. A sea haze and artificial fogs concealed tho British purpose until the Vindictive was within a quarter of a mile of the entrance to tho Ostend harbour gates, whon the Germans sent up a regular pyrotechnic display of star shells, and guns on all sides opened fire, which continued "until tho Vindictive sank, 150 yards inside the piers. BOMBARDMENT BY MONITORS. Throughout the operation four great monitors Bteadily bombarded tho shore, whilo aeroplanes caused many fires.

The Vindictive's success was secured despite the fact that Germans had heavily mined tho seaway, expecting another attack. Silt will materially assist the completion of the blocking up of the channel.

The monitors, destroyers, motorlaunches, and coastal motor-boats placed at Commander Lyne's disposal by Vice-Admiral Keyes, assembled at the entrance to Ostend at 1.45. in the morning, 15 minutes before the Vindictive was duo. The weather conditions were all that could bo desired, there being a calm sea and a light wind, but beforo the Vindictive arrived the sea fog drifted towards the shore, reducing visibility to between 300 and 400 yards. The Vindictive therefore found it extremely difficult to locate tho entrance, and was obliged to cruiso backwards and forwards for 20 minutes, seeking the entrance.

Meanwhile the enemy detected her presence and tho shore batteries opened a heavy firo. The Vindictive suffered a number of casualties before the piers wero suddenly sighted almost alongside. There was an intense fire from tho ehoro guns, which, with machineguns, were now concentrated against the Vindictive.

commander ordered all below to come on deck while he prepared to blow up the charges.

The crew made their escape in motor launches, which gallantly ranged alongside the Vindictive to save the crew despite a heavy fire. The gallant rescuers were severly punished, one launch being sunk. When the charges went off the Vindictive settled down. During the raid not a single enemy vessel was sighted . The Vindictive's crew consisted of volunteers drawn from ships of tho Dover Patrol.

At 3.15 the rescuing motor launch was picked up by tho "Warwick, which was Vice-Admiral Keyes's flagship, and from it 38 of the crew were taken aboard, where one died later.

THE COMMANDER'S REPORT,

Commander Lynes, reporting on the affair, warmly praises the gallahtry of all engaged. The sea on tho outward trip, ho says, could not have been mora suitable for small craft. The visibility was good, and thejre was no interference from enemy vessels. The small craft went to their stations with destroyers in support. The enemy was quiet until 1.45, when he opened a heavy fire. Our star shells showed how our smoke screens were progressing, then the sky, which hitherto had been unclouded, became obscured. The sea fog was so dense that it stopped our air attacks, and even tho searchlights wore invisible. The fog lasted an hour; then the air attacks were resumed. The enemy's fire, assisted by the searchlights, lasted an hour. One motor launch, showing especial gallantry, ranged alongside the Vindictive. taking off an officer and two men who wero left behind when the others escaped. Two launches gallantly searched the shore despite a heavy fire, but found nobody.

The retirement began at 2.30, when, according to - programme, the inshore forces were gradually closing on the destroyers. Two hundred shells fell round the Beitish monitors, but there were no hits or casualties.

Our aircraft which flew over OstenJ to-day report that half the channel is blocked. It is possibly usable by destroyers and submarines, but is useless

for cruisers,

The naval men who participated *eturned to Dover in the highest spirits. They looked thoroughly worn out after their sleepless night, bu.t were thoroughly delighted with their succes3. They state that the programme was carried out admirably, and the small craft performed their task magnificently. The smoke screen could npt have been better. The Vindictive in striking the harbour had the luck which was denied to the Brilliant on the former occasion.

It is evident that the men behaved splendidly, all being as keen as mustard.

WHERE THE VINDICTIVE LIES.

(Router's Telegrams.; (Received May 12th, 5.5 p.m.)

LONDON May 11

It is now disclosed that the previous attempt to block Ostond failed because the onemy had just previously moved a buoy a milo out of position.

It is stated that there is no shadow of doubt about the present position of the Vindictive, which Hies at an angle of 40 degrees between tho piers, about 200 yards inside tho entrance. This has been photographically confirmed. The vessel does not effectively block the channel, which is 20 feot wider than her length, but a partial and most serious blockage has been achieved which will certainly tend to increase under the conditions of tho tide and the rapid silt prevailing along this coast.

What is very important is the fact that the German light craft, whon chased by our vessels, will be unable, as hitherto, to rush at full speed to shelter.

Tho small number of British casualties indicates that the enemy were surprised. It has been ascertained that the silt at Zeebrugge is collecting very fast, despite dredging. Tho blocking cruisers are ao placed that any attempt to blow them up is fraught with danger to the neighbouring permanent structure.

The mole at Zeebrugge was built on a special plan in order to against the accumulation of drifting sand. A solid breakwater, provided with a wide quay furnitehed with sidings and sheds, and curving round so as to overlap thoroughly the entrance to the canal and shelter certain water-area, is approached by an open metal viaduct extending out 1007 ft from low water into a depth of 20ft. It was so designed in the hope that by avoiding interference with tho littoral drift close to the shore, which comes mainly from the west, the accumulation of silt tp tho west of the harbour and in the harbour itself would be avoided. THE RAIDERS' RETURN. LONDON, May 10. There were great rejoicings at Dover, to which port the raiders returned. Heavy gunfire was hoard at 1 a.m., 2 a.m., and 3 a.m. It was a brilliant night. Vice-Admiral Keys directed the operations. THE GERMAN VERSION. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Reutor's Telefframs.) Admiralty per Wireless Preas. (Received May 12th, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 11. A German official report states: — "Til© splendidly-directed fire of our

coastal batteries repelled several onemy vessels which were endeavouring to penetrate the Ostend harbour. "An old cruiser lies completely battered by shells aground outside t e channel, the whole entrance to which remains quite clear. "Two survivors who jumped overboard were taken prisoner. "The attempt to block the port was completely frustrated. "Wo sank two motor beats and bad y damaged a monitor." A BELGIAN COMMUNIQUE. LONDON, May 11. A Belgian communique states- _ "German artillery bombarded Belgian works and communications in ie Nieuport zone during the night, w 1 e tho British were attacking the coas

WORTHY OF DRAKE AND

NELSON

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association) NEW YORK, Ma- 10-. Mr Mason, the United Press Abb.Ration naval expert, states t[V closing of Ostend was a n w' ploit. It took the Germans completely unawares, and will force boats to use their home bases. affair suggests a condition moralisation in the - 5 > while the British are fulfilling traditions of Drake and Nelson. PRAISE FROM AMERICA. (Australian and X.Z. Cable Association.) (Received May 12th. 11 P- m -> NEW YORK, May 10. The New York newspapers accord much praise to the British ?>avy ioi bottling up Ostend.

AT ZEEBRUGGE

HARBOUR STILL BLOCKED

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, May 10. Although there is no official * mation of the statement from Swrtzei land that submarines have been compelled to retreat to German bases - stead of Zeebrugge, a. High >""£1 j*" thority reports that Zeebrugge • blocked. Considerable aerial activity is maintained there. preventing, the enemy's clearing operations.

A recent cable message stated: I hilatest information regarding is to the effect that it is impracticable as a base for German submarines, which consequently have been diverted to German ports.

INCIDENTS OF ZEEBRUGGE RAID

(From Australian Files.)

LONDON, May 1. Stories of Australians from Zeebrugge show an adventurous zest equal to that of the old British sea dogs. Details confirm the almost unimaginable risks and tho calculated rush and fury of the onslaught. The five Australian seamen among the \indictives landing party included Staples, of Adelaide, who was among the first ashore, and led a party of bombers, who attacked the machine-gunners. He said: "Thev wero as thick as thieves, but we found cover, and gave them it hot until the retreat sounded. Some of the boys had rifles, and bayoneted the Germans who were trving to cut off the demolition party which blew up the sheds. We were specially trained with the bluejackets for six weeks." Rudd, "a youthful Sydney man, said that the mole defences were very strong. The Germans had long trenches full of machine-guns, protected bv masses of barbed-wire.

"It was r wild fight, the screaming and bursting shells were fearful. Every man who returned to the Vindictive carried a wounded comrade. As the tire had receded we had to slide them down to the deck like sacks of flour. How the Vindictive survived beats me. The funnels were holed liko pepperpots, with dead and dying everywhere."

Stoker Burke, a "West Australian aboard the blockship Thetis, said: "The ship was riddled while steering to the canal, but it got there. A man could walk out of the shell-holes. The_ harbour was lighted up with extraordinary brilliancy. I saw the captain of the Vindictive pulling alongside as if he owned the place. No decoration is good enough for him. After the lodgment of the Thetis we escaped in a little scooter, with the shells following us for two miles. "We reached Dover in eight hours." "We found the skipper of the Thetis unconscious alongside the wheel, and rescued him. Take it from mo, as an Australian, nothing is wrong with the British naval officers."

EFFECT OF NORTH SEA MINEFIELDS.

(United Service.) (Received May 12th, 5.5 p.m.)

The "Daily Mail" says that the new minefields comprise one of tho most important undertakings of the war, and form a complete barrage at both ends of the North Sea. The submarines are now able to penetrate to the Atlantic only by using the edge of Norwegian waters, where the Admiralty presumably is taking spccial measures to deal with the unavoidable gap.

("The Times.") (Received May 12th, 5.5 p.m.)

The naval correspondent of "The Times" states that the submarines using the Belgian ports have certainly been deprived of much freedom of movement. They have been wirelessly instructed not to return to Zeebrugge or Ostend. as if they do so they will find the passage impeded by the. new North Sea minefields. It is hoped that before long tho fulfilment of other plans will cause a decided shrinkage sn tonnage sinkings.