LLANDOVERY CASTLE

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 March 1937, Page 7

LLANDOVERY CASTLE

MINE OR TORPEDO ? & [BY CABLE —PRESS ABBW. —COPYRIGHT.! LONDON, February 27. Captain Aylen, commander of the Llandovery Castle, which was holed by an under-water explosion when passing Cape Creus, on Thursday, expresses the opinion that the ship was struck either by a mine or by a torpedo. The column of water flung up by the explosion passed over the foremast which was broken.

A passenger on the vessel states that shortly before the explosion an object resembling a periscope was seen by members of the. crew. War risk rates covering the French fleet trading in the Mediterranean have already risen to 10/- per £lOO for three months.

The naval correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph,” Mr. Hector Bywater, says that following the mishap to the Llandovery Castle, British warships in the Mediterranean will operate paravanes, an invention designed for bringing mines to the surface in order that they may be destroyed harmlessly.

CABALLERO’S THREAT

VALENCIA, February 27.

The Spanish Popular Front Prime Minister, Senor Caballero, publicly threatened to resign if his home policy continues to meet with opposition. He said: “I will not remain at the head of Republican Spain if we do not take a firm decision.”

Senor Caballero’s' declaration followed a meeting of the Catalan Cabinet, which subsequently issued a communique agreeing to co-operate with Senor Caballero in organising the regular army under a single command.

BRITISH HARBOUR BOMBED

LONDON, February 26.

A message from Valencia states that several persons were killed and much property was damaged by the bombing of the British-owned harbour of Gandia, near Valencia, by the insurgents.

Tire insurgents captured the Dutch steamer Ramboy, which, they alleged, was carrying war material to the Government forces.

ROYAL OAK INCIDENT

RUGBY, Ferbuary 26

The Spanish Foreign Minister (Senor del Vayo) has expressed to the British Charge d’Affaires (Mr. G. A. D. Ogilvie-Forbes) the sympathy and concern felt by the Spanish Government at the bombing accident to the Royal Oak.