WAR AT SEA

Evening Star, Issue 23496, 9 February 1940, Page 7

WAR AT SEA

SINKING OF NEUTRAL SHIPS OVER THREE HUNDRED DESTROYED PARIS, February 8. The Minister of the Blockade, M. Pernot, revealed that since the outbreak of war the Germans have destroyed 319 neutral ships, of a tonnage of 1,144,957, amounting to 1.6 per cent, of world tonnage. CONTRABAND CONTROL (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, February 7. On February 6 there were 30 neutral ships in United Kingdom contraband control bases, of which 21 had been there five days or less. During the week ended February 3 the Contraband Committee considered the cargoes of 114 ships which had arrived since January 28, and 22 from the previous week. Entire cargoes were released in 90 cases, either on first consideration or after inquiries. Sixty-three cases were dealt with under tjie system of advance copy manifests and in 52 such cases vessels were released subject to formal checking of the original manifests.

MUNSTER SUNK BY MINE LONDON, February 8. (Received February 9, at 10.30 a.m.)The Irish Channel steamer Munster was mined. GALLANT ENGINEER LAST TO HAVE SHIP LONDON, February 8. (Received February 9, at noon). Seventy-sis persons from the Beaverburn were landed! at a west coast port. ' Harry Teale, the third engineer, who was the last to leave the ship, remained in the engine room to switch off the engines, and jumped overboard as the ship sank. He clung to wreckage until he was picked up. His gallantry probably prevented explosions endangering the lifeboats. A British tanker picked! up survivors after one and a-half hours. The chief cook was drowned. Ho was the only victim. GERMANY'S CLAIMS OFFICIAL FIGURES OF HIGH COMMAND BERLIN, February 8. (Received February 9, at 1 p.m.) The High Command claims that since the outbreak of war Germany has sunk 109 enemy and neutral merchant, ships, with a tonnage of 1,493,431. The navy has seized 354 ships, with a tonnage of 607,881, which were brought to harbours for Prize Court proceedings. It admits the loss of 42 ships, with a tonnage of 236,957, of which 141,525 tons have been scuttled, 13,106 tons confiscated in enemy harbours, and 82,326 captured. THE BRITISH VERSION LONDON, February 8. (Received February 9, at 1 p.m.) The Admiralty controverts the German claims, and says that to February 4 a total of 274 merchant ships were lost, of which 143 were British. The tonnage was 505,998. Fourteen French ships, tonnage 76,689, and 117 neutral ships, tonnage 342,357, were lost.. The German navy has not captured any British or French ships. The German figures must apply entirely to neutrals. RUNNING THE BLOCKADE GERMAN FREIGHTER LEAVES PORT RIO DE JANIERO, February 8. The German freighter La, Coruna sailed, apparently* heavily laden, although with a declared cargo of 1,600 tons, including 30,000 bags of coffee, 2,000 cases of lard, mica, nickel, and ore. GERMAN SEAMEN IN AMERICA ARRANGEMENTS FOR RETURN WASHINGTON, February 8. (Received February 9, at 10 a.m.) Tho Secretary of Labour, Miss Frances Perkins, announced that officials are co-operating with the Nordeutscher Lloyd Line for the return of the Columbus seamen to Germany. Transpacific booking cannot be obtained. REMOVED FROM SHIP TWO GERMAN SEAMEN LISBON, February 8. (Received February 9, at 12.30 p.m.) Tho French minesweeper, Cap Nord, removed the German seamen Paul Querry and Klaus Rungo, of Azores, from tho liner Carvalho Araujo. Querry claimed an urgent operation for appendicitis, and the French captain promised treatment after arrival.