WEEK’S SHIPPING LOSSES

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 February 1940, Page 7

WEEK’S SHIPPING LOSSES

HEAVIEST YET IN WAR

NEUTRALS SUFFER MOST

[BY CABLE —PBESS ASSN. —COPYBIGHT.]

(Recd. Feb. 21, 11 a.m.). LONDON, February 20.

Shipping losses by enemy action for the week ended February 18, were the highest of the war. Neutrals were by far the greatest sufferers.

The total losses since the war began amount to 1,059,766 tons. The week’s totals are five British, totalling 39,276 tons, and 15 neutrals, totalling 46,801 tons. In addition, the Admiralty notified the loss of” three British vessels totalling 7,562 tons. Three neutrals, totalling 6,830 tons, were not included in the previous list's, owing to lack of confirmation. The British Triumph was the only ship lost z in convoy last week. Neutrals, numbering 160, were convoyed without loss. The Allied navies, last week, captured three German ships and two others were scuttled, in addition to the beaching of the Altmarck. The sinkings include the Finnish Wilja (3,396 tons) and the Norwegian Sangstad (4,297 tons), both not previously reported.

AERIAL ATTACKS.

(Recd. Feb. 21, 11 a.m.). LONDON, February 20.

Enemy aeroplanes twice attacked shipping 30 miles from the north-east coast, this afternoon. A Norfolk lifeboat put out. Other 1 attacks occurred off Lincolnshire and Suffolk. People in south-east Essex heard machinegun fire. The steamer Hop, 1,351 tons, bound for the Tyne from Bergen, is believed to be lost with a crew iof 17. A number of trawlers encountered enemy aircraft off the north-east coast of Scotland, yesterday. The enemy are believed to have been attacked, but the result is not known. The “Daily Mail” says 12 Nazi aeroplanes swooped down on trawlers in the North Sea off Scotland, repeatedly machine-gunning the decks and then raining bombs. The raiders made off when a warship approached.

TWO NEUTRALS SUNK.

LONDON, February 20.

Fishing boats from La Coruna picked up survivors from the two latest victims of the Nazi war against neutrals.

The crew of 26 of the Greek steamer Elli (1114 (ons), bound for Greece, with coal from Cardiff, took to the boats after a torpedo hit the.ir ship. The U-boat then sank her with a second torpedo. Twenty-two of the crew of 29 of the Spanish steamer Banderas (2140 tons) perished after an explosion sank the ship six miles from Cape Pilano. Two were seriously injured.

DANISH SEAMEN’S PROTESTS

(Received February 21, 2 p.m.) COPENHAGEN, February 20.

Danish seafarers’ organisations have sent an open letter to the British and German Governments. The letter to Britain protests against the Government forcing neutral seamen transporting necessities to Denmark to go into control harbours and the war zones. It suggests that Britain should not compel neutral ships sailing between neutral countries to enter the danger zones. The letter to Germany protests against sinkings without warning.

CHECKING BLOCKADE RUNNERS

(Recd. February 21, 2 p.m.) LONDON, February 20.

The Rome correspondent of “The Times” says: The Italian press and radio give prominence to the reported presence of a British cruiser and other warships off Petsamo. It is conjectured that Britain is preparing action against German blockade-runners using the far northern passage.

GERMAN TRAWLER CAPTURED

(Recd. Feb. 21, 1 p.m.). LONDON, February 20. The Admiralty announced the capture of the German trawler Herrlich Keit, which has been taken to a British port.

ATTACK ON U-BOATS

PARIS, February 20.

Navil circles announced that British and French naval vessels attacked several U-boats on February 19. It is impossible to say what resulted.

BELGIAN LOESSES.

(Recd. February 21, 2.30 p.m.) BRUSSELS, February .20. It is officially announced that Belgium has lost 12 ships, of 50,000 tonnage, since the outbreak of the war.