SUNK IN THE WAR.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 675, 27 November 1909, Page 5

SUNK IN THE WAR.

RAMMING' OF BRITISH STEAMER BY A RUSSIAN CRUISER. COMPENSATION AWARD, .£OI,MI. (lIS Tolaci-apli.M'resa .'ABnuctallim'.-OoDTrIeUU (Rec. Novembor 20, 9.50 p.m.) . , St. Petersburg, November 20. • The Supremo Prize Court of Russia hastywarded the British India Steam Navigation Company .£01,931 as compeuiiition for the loss of! their steamer,: the Ikhona (which was: rammed and sunk by the -Russian cruiser Terek in 1905, during the 'Russo-Japanese' War), and the South '.British' Insurance Company : and the Now ■Zealand. Insurance Company" .£10,690. v:: s ' The British India -Steam ..Navigation Company '.claimed <£131,400.; ' • ' ' • THE CASE:OF'THE IKHONA. The Ikhona '-.was a fine oargo stoamer of 5252 tons, ' built in 1900, and owned by tho British; India Steam Nagivation Co. ' In. 1905 on. a voyage from Rangoon to Japanese ports with a cargo of rice, she was stopped and summarily, sunk-by'.the Russian cruiser Terek. sTlic trade in whioh : the Ikhona was engaged is ono that has been'carried on for many, years, and has by now assumed large proportions. It had no cinhcction 'whatever .with tho liussoJapanese War, for the 1 rice was consigned to Japanese ports and to individual' nierohants; and the owners, had thoy realised thero was anv 'possibility -of-' their' vessel ■ being. stopped, iwoula "no doubt 'have sent her far out of tho' conrse of .hound, for Yladivostock.: ."The ; Libau /Prize Cotu't rejected the elaim'- of• the owners for .'compensatioiir-but. the'-.Supreme' Prize; Court, last year upheld .'tho owners' -ap'peal, recognising that, the .vessel was not carrying contraband.' Tho Sunrome Prize Court held that' while the . Terek -was justified':in. stopping the Ikhqna, the latter should after•warus have been allowed to proceed. ;. : -