ATTACK ON SHIP IN NORTH SEA

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22551, 5 November 1938, Page 17

ATTACK ON SHIP IN NORTH SEA

Accounts Given By Eye-Witnesses OFFICIAL ACTION NOT LIKELY (njrrrzD press association —copybight.) (INBEPENDENT CABLE SZBVICZ.) (Received November 4, 11.10 a.m.) LONDON, November 3. The Board of Trade officially states that the Cantabria, which was shelled and sunk in the North Sea by the Spanish insurgent trawler Nadir, is not a British ship in the terms of international law.

j Mr C. L. Burbridge, a director of the Mid-Atlantic Shipping Company, which operated the Cantabria, said: "The whole thing is criminal. The Cantabria was unarmed and was engaged in perfectly normal trade between Baltic ports and England. She was en route to Immingham to bunker before going to Leningrad to load timber." The Admiralty and Lloyd's have called for a full report of the incident, but action is most improbable. The Nadir was photographed from an aeroplane when steaming at full speed down the English Channel. An illustration in the evening papers reveals her great speed, showing her.with a big bow wake and rakish merchantman design similar to the Union liner Awatea. Although the picture was taken close up, the guns are invisible. *A sailor on the Cantabria declared that German sailors were on board the Nadir.

Captain's Account The captain of the Pattersonian said that when he first sighted the Cantabria and Nadir they were about 300 yards apart. The after-part of the Cantabria was enveloped in steam. A boat was lowered and he headed the Pattersonian for ths'boat. As he did so the Nadir reversed. "I had to reverse quickly to avoid a collision," he said. ' "I feel certain that it was a deliberate attempt to head meoff. We went forward-again and picked up the men, who were terrified that they would be sent to the Nadir." A United Press Association: message says that the wreck of the Cantabria was located in 15 fathoms of water 10 miles off the coast. Numerous telegrams have been received by the crew of the Cromer lifeboat, conveying the warmest praise for their gallantry. "I shudder to think what .will happen to our shipmates on board the Nadir," declared Captain Ardulles, master of the Cantabria, when standing with his wife on the cliffs overlooking the scene of the action. "It is-difficult to ..outline a nightmare." It was'a hot two and a half hours.. Nothing would induce lis to surrender. "One shell shot away the bridge and 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 which she replied: 'I would rather die than be taken by the insurgents.'" Mrs Ardulles, in Spanish, repeatedly declared: "It was terrible; terrible." Captain Ardulles, with his family, has gone to Yarmouth to join the crew. There is no trace of those who were reported to have been picked up by the Nadir. The Nadir disappeared in the darkness after refusing to answer Morse signals:

LOYALISTS RETREAT ON EBRO FRONT (Received November 4, 7.5 p.m.) LONDON, November 3. The Hendaye correspondent of "The Times" says that the Loyalists, though they are gallantly resisting, are gradually retreating on the Ebro front.