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SHIPPING LOSSES

ANOTHER BAD WEEK •‘FIGURES ARE SERIOUS” [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.] RUGBY, December 3. Mercantile losses due to enemy action for the week ending November 24-25, were 22 ships of 87,975 tons, - comprising 19 British, 75,560 tons, and three Allied 12,415. A naval authority commented that the figures were serious, being 24,000 tons above the weekly average since the outbreak of war, but the increasing U-boat menace was one with which the British Navy fully recognised it would have to wage a stern fight. , ANOTHER VICTIM. - NEW YORK, December 2. The Mackay Radio reports that the British steamer “Whenrick” has been torpedoed at a point 55.00 deg. north and 15.40 deg. west. SHIPS FROM U.S.A. RUGBY, December 3. Mr. Cross informed the Commons that the first order, for the construction of 60 cargo ships, had been given to United States shipbuilders, by the Admiralty. He added that old but serviceable vessels, including those belonging to the Maritime Commission, have been and will continue to be purchased from the United States. ■ PERU’S PRECAUTIONS. LIMA, December 2. ■ The Chamber of Deputies, passed a motion requesting the Foreign Office to deny sailing authorisation for four German ships that are docked at Callao for the duration of the war, on the grounds that they might violate Peru’s neutrality and the American security zone by replenishing pirate raiders on the American coast.

PORT BRISBANE SINKING. CHIEF OFFICER’S NARRATIVE. SYDNEY, December 3. In the course of a national broadcast, to-night on the experiences of the 26 survivors of the Port'Brisbane, which was sunk by enemy action, the Chief Officer (Mr. Dingle) said that he and his fellow occupants who escaped in- a lifeboat, remained in the vicinity of (he ship overnight. They had hopes .that the Port Brisbane would -not sink after all, despite fire aboard and a heavy list, but about seven in the morning she suddenly went down by the bow. He took the lifeboat back to the scene and gathered up floating rations. He recovered two empty lifeboats, in which he placed some comrades.

Then came the problem of which direction to head, —Australia or Mauritius. . Both were a very great distance, and Australia seemingly the farthest. Consequently he decided to take a chance and make for Mauritius. Neither he nor his comrades were able to say whether the wireless operator, McKee, had been able to get his distress signal away before the raider bombed and set fire to his cabin, but they presumed he had, after which he was probably taken prisoner. All doubts on this score were set at rest, when, about four o’clock that afternoon, the welcome sight of an Australian cruiser hove in sight, and by seven in the evening he and his comrades were all safely aboard, enjoying the comforts and hospitality of typical British naval men.-' AUSTRALIAN MINE-SWEEPING. (Recd. December 4, 12.25 p.m.) CANBERRA, December 4. Nineteen mines have been swept up in Bass Strait, since two ships were sunk about three weeks ago. This was announced by the Minister for the Navy (Mr Hughes), who added that minesweeping is continuing.

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/GEST19401204.2.51

Bibliographic details

Greymouth Evening Star, 4 December 1940, Page 8

Word Count
514

SHIPPING LOSSES Greymouth Evening Star, 4 December 1940, Page 8

SHIPPING LOSSES Greymouth Evening Star, 4 December 1940, Page 8