WAR AT SEA

Grey River Argus, 22 May 1941, Page 5

WAR AT SEA

EGYPTIAN LINER SUNK Was it by a Mine ? GERMAN SHIP RESCUES THOSE ABOARD. [Aus. & N.Z Cable Assn.l LONDON, May 20. The Egyptian liner, “Zam-Zam,” has been sunk. The ship, which carried a crew of .120 left New York on March 20. At least 60 noted members of United States families, who had volunteered for ambulance work in the Near East, were on board. The United States State Department has cabled the United States Embassy at Berlin, for full details on the sinking of the “Zam-Zam.” The Paris radio stated that the Zam-Zam was sunk by a mine. It is officially announced in Berlin that a German ship rescued the passengers and crew of the Zam-Zam. The German radio announced that the crew and passengers of the ZamZam are safe somewhere in occupied territory. It is claimed that the Zam-Zam carried contraband, and she was sunk strictly in accordance with blockade operations. It added that the Zam-Zam carried lorries, cars and machines for the British troops and de Gaulle forces. RUGBY, May 20. The Admiralty has announced that H.M.S. Camito. an auxiliary vessel of the Royal Navy, has been sunk. Vessel Sunk by Warship ALL ABOARD TAKEN TO FRANCE (Received May 21, 9.5 p.m.l. / BERLIN, May 20. Official circles here declared that a warship sank the Egyptian liner “Zamzam” in the- middle of April, after rescuing her passengers and crew. They were landed from Gozman merchant vessels at a port m Western France. U.SA. PASSENGERS. TO BE RELEASED. (Received May 21. 11.5 p.m » BERLIN, Mav 21 The official spokesman said the United States passengers from the sunken Zamzam are expected to be released as soon as possible They will he allowed to return to the United States LONDON. May 21. One hundred and forty American passengers from the Zam-Zam, landed at Saint Jean De Luz.

BRITISH NAVY

Now Concentrating IN THE NORTH ATLANTIC. I’Aus. & T7.Z. Cable Assn.l (Received' May 21, 10.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, May 21. The United Press states: “A well informed source indicated to-day that Britain was concentrating her sen power in the North Atlantic at the expense of the other seas, thus explaining relative safety of can aid and supplies for Britain. The same source said that Britain xwis row far from content about her security .of the seas generally, although that of the North Atlantic has much improved.” German Losses EIGHT SHIPS LAST WEEK. RUGBY, May 20 In widespread attacks on enemy shipping by units of the British Navy and R.A.F., during the week ended May 19, at least eight supply-ships totalling 40,500 tons, were destroyed or irreparably damaged. Pour of these ships, totalling 17,500 tons, arc known to have been sunk. Ihe remainder were burning so badly when last seen that it is hardly possible for them to have been anything but total losses. In addition, during a highly-sue-cessful attack by aircraft of the Fleet Air Arm on an enemy convoy in the Mediterranean, when a merchant ship of 8,000 tons blew up with a violent explosion, an enemy destroyer was hit, and clouds ol smoke were seen to pour from it. Daily attacks have been made on enemy shipping off the Dutch and French coasts, and in harbours occupied by the’ enemy. Perhaps the most-daring of these took place on May 14, when a single aircraft of the Coastal Command attacked a convoy of seven ships off the Dutch coast, from a very low level, and, in spite of heavy firing, returned home safely after having torpedoed and sunk a 5,000 tons supply-vessel in the convoy On the following days, a convoy off the Frisian Islands was attacked bv aircraft of the Bomber Command, and three supply ships of 5.000, 4,000 and 2,000 tons respectively, were bombed and left burning.

FINNISH SHIP DESTROYED.

HELSINKI. May 20.

The Foreign Ministry announced that, the Josefina Thorden was bombed and set on fire in the North Atlantic. Seventeen of the crew of 32 wore rescued.

Sinking of “Port Gisborne” RESCUES AFTER SINKING.

WELLINGTON, May 21. Captain S. E. A. Gregory, Marine Superintendent in New Zealand of the Port Line, has received news from London that Mr. H. McGregor Post, formerly chief officer of the Port Gisborne, has been awarded tho M.B.E. Captain T. Kippins, D.S.C., the master of that ship, has been awarded the 0.8. E. After the ship had been torpedoed and sunk, Captain Kippins, Mr. Post, and the members of the crew were adrift in a lifeboat for 14 days, before being rescued. They suffered from exposure, and were in • hospital for some time after landing in Britain.

in command of the Government steamer, Tutanekai, and is a brother in-law of Captain Gregory.

LOSS OF “MATAKANA.”

MAORI CURIOS SALVED

(Received May 21, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 20.. A gift of curios from the Arav-. Maoris, Rotdriva, to Lord Will’n!.:don, which it was feared were losi when the Matakana was wrecked J” the West Indies, arrived safely with lil/le damage. The New Zealand High Commis-

Mr. Post is the son "of the late Cap- s j O ner (Mr W. J. Jordan) presentee tain C. Post, who was for many years them to Lord Willingdon.