THE GERMAN BLOCKADE

Grey River Argus, 13 February 1940, Page 7

THE GERMAN BLOCKADE

RAIDS ON SHIPS. LONDON, February 11. An enemy plane dropped 12 to 16 bombs near the Boston Trader, which was damaged in the shipping raids on February 9. The plane also encircled the ship', machine-gunning the crew Two were slightly injured. The Ghllia was mined on the south-east coast, but remained afloat. Lifeboats helped to tow her to a safe anchorage. The German High Command claims that the Air Force continued reconnaissance activity over Britain yesterday. One British patrol vessel was sunk'. All the aeroplanes returned safety. The British steamer Oregon has arrived in tow. It reports that it had boiler trouble off Cape Finisterre and sent out SOS. It drifted for three days, when a U-boat approached but did not fire being presumably short of ammunition. She left the Oregon to her fate. Next day a tug made contact, but the hawser snapped. The second officer and two seamen were killed and another seriously injured. The Oregon was previously reported torpedoed. MONTEVIDEO, February 11. The newspaper “El Pais” says that several of the crew of the Graf Spee and Tacoma, mostly officers and experts have disappeared. It is suspected that they have flown from Brazil to a ship for Italy and Germany. LONDON, Februray 9. The Secretary to the Admiralty announces the following casualties from H.M.S. Sphinx, which was damaged by enemy air attacks on February 3 and capsized while being towed to port on February 5. One officer was killed and four are missing, and believed' dead, three ratings were killed, one died of injuries and forty-five are missing and presumed dead.