THREAT BY CANADA

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28414, 22 October 1957, Page 13

THREAT BY CANADA

Submarines Off Coast

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 12.30 a.m.)

VICTORIA. Oct. 18. Submarines reported to be cruising in Canadian waters would be depth-charged by Canadian Navy ships if they do not identify themselves when located and ordered to do so, Rear-Admiral H. S. Rayner, Flag Officer of the Navy’s Pacific Coast Com-

mand, said today. “The Navy is very much on the alert and will act immediately.’’ he said.

Admiral Rayner said unidentified submarines have been operating off the west coast in recent months, “familiarising themselves with the coast and coastal waters."

There was considerable evidence that the submarines were in Canadian waters, he added.

“However, an intense naval search failed to find them. If they return, we will fire signal charges ordering them to the surface for identification. If they don't come to the surface, we will drop depth charges on them,” Admiral Rayner said.

His statement followed Vancouver newspaper reports that a Soviet freighter which visited that port this month later met two Soviet submarines in the North Pacific, and that it may have supplied them with fuel.