FIGHT WITH RAIDER

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 December 1940, Page 7

FIGHT WITH RAIDER

BOTH SHIPS DAMAGED BRITISH CASUALTIES [BY CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYRIGHT.] MONTEVIDEO, December 7. H.M.S. Carnarvon 1 ' Castle, the former Union Castle liner which fought a long-range action with a fast, heavily-armed German • raider 700 miles north-east of Montevideo, docked at Montevideo 48 hours aftei’ the engagement. The British Legation issued the following communique:—“The action lasted 90 minutes. It began with a long chase at high speed in which the enemy continually attempted to' break off the action, disappearing finally at high speed under a 'smoke screen. The damage to the Carnarvon'Castle, although very noticeable, is mostly superficial and can be easily repaired. The German ship was undoubtedly greatly damaged, and probably will be caught and destroyed soon. The conduct of the sailors upheld the highest traditions of the Royal Navy.” Seven of the Carnarvon Castle’s crew were killed and 15 wounded.

It is revealed that the Carnarvon Castle received a total of 22 shellhits while battling with the raider, which is now described as a HansaLloyd merchantman. It fired two torpedoes as its first action. The cruiser Enterprise is now seeking the raider.

A Uruguayan Naval Commission which inspected the Carnarvon Castle estimated that it would take 72 hours for repairs to be carried out. Diplomats say that the British Legation has requested permission for the Carnarvon Castle to stay in port for 48 hours, 24 hours longer than usual. It is understood the Government is awaiting the report of technicians before answering. It is recalled that the Admiral Graf Spee remained 72 hours.

“Nothing can be said about the injured, but they are not serious, and it .is unnecessary to disembark them. They will be cured aboard.” GUNNER’S NARRATIVE. A gunner on the Carnarvon Castle said in an interview: “Early on Thursday morning, the Carnarvon Castle picked up a German ship and fired a shot across her bow. As a precaution, in view of several unpleasant surprises we have had in recent weeks, the captain ordered the crew to battle stations. At 8.5 a.m., without warning, the German opened fire and the battle was on. The captain immediately ordered the gunners to straddle the enemy, seeking the range. The German ship did likewise and to good effect.” The gunner - said the German ship s shots frequently straddled the Carnarvon Castle and were seldom more than 20 yards on either side. He said Captain Hardy, kept the ship on a straight course until the Germansfound the range and were ready for a direct hit. Then, at the last moment, he changed course. “It was evident from the first that the German ship had heaviei’ guns at least two eight-inchers—and her crew did its utmost to bring them to bear. Besides that, the German ship was long and low, with verj little freeboard, making hex’ hard to hit. In spite of that, we hit her fanamidships, put out of commission the guns on that side, and forced hex to tack to port to bring her remaining guns to beai’ on us. Altogether, the German ship hit us 22 times. “One shell burst close to the gun crew. One little fellow had his arm smashed and a piece of steel in his guts. He turned to his mates and said, ‘I haven’t let you down, mates, have I?.’ He was taken to the infirmary, but didn’t last vexy long. He was buried with honours with six others after the battle. “Before she got away, the German fired two torpedoes which missed. She disappeared in a smoke screen, we saw her settling down by the stern. We were short of munitions and decided to go to Montevideo and turned southward. „ I “We first saw the Queen of Bermuda, which took off our 22 German •prisoners from the Itape. A number of ratings from the Queen of Bermuda transferred to us. A few hours latex’ we picked up H.M.S. Enterprise, who signalled to ask if we needed assistance. We said no, and she went northward at full speed. That German ship was bound straight for Davy Jones’s locker.” When the Carnarvon Castle arrived she carried a collision patch over ’J l ® l bow. presumably covering a shellhole below the water-line. Light hits were visible on the port side, while the starboard side was more seriously damaged, including four well-defined direct hits, one of which apparently passed through the ship near the bow. A large crowd cheered the Carnarvon Castle as she arrived. Officers of the cruiser Uruguay said that they had sighted the British warship “Warspite” speeding north, and apparently attempting to hitercept the Gexman raider which had the ju l tie with the “Carnarvon Castle.

REPAIRS IN 72 HOURS (Recd. Dec. 9, 1.35 p.m.) MONTEVIDEO, Dec. 8. Fifty shipworkers have started to repair the Carnarvon Castle. The men say they have been given 72 hours, and that the ship will be as good as new. It is reported that steel plates, salvaged from the Graf Spee, are being used.

RAIDER’S SUPPLY SHIP. KOBE, December 6. A Norwegian ship, apparently used as a German prison vessel, has sailed after a 12-hour stay here, During her stay she took on supplies. It is believed that she might be co-operat-ing with a German commerce raider which has operated in the Southern Pacific. SINGAPORE ACTIVITIES SINGAPORE, December 7. The Singapore Harbour' Board reports that since the outbreak of war, over three hundred thousand tons of shipping has been degaussed, and that nearly one hundred ocean-going ships have been defensively armed. The degaussing is increasing, and equipment for anti-submarine operations is being manufactured by mass production. Many anti-submarine vessels are being constructed. The Board has presented two of these to the Admiralty.