WARFARE AT SEA

Hokitika Guardian, 10 December 1940, Page 5

WARFARE AT SEA

GERMAN SHIP CAPTURE BY H.M.S. DIOMEDE. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) HAVANA, Dec. 8. Tho Cuban Navy has reported that a German freighter, tlie “Idarwald, ’ which left Tampico ten days ago, was heard sending an S.O.S. indicating that she had been torpedoed by a British cruiser. The “Idarwald’,’ at 2.30 p.m. radioed that she had been attacked and sunk by a British cruiser off the south coast of Cuba. At 2.40 p.m., she radioed that her crew was taking to the lifeboats. A Cuban coast freighter, the “Alambi,” later advised that she was v proceeding in the direction of the “Idarwald.” WASHINGTON, Dec. 9. Tho United States Navy has reported that the British cruiser, ‘‘Diomede,” took possession of the German vessel “Idarwald,” after the crew had attempted to scuttle her. (The. “Idarwald” left Tampico on November 29 in a second attempt to beat tlie British blockade. On the first occasion the vessel left Tampico suddenly in company with three other German merchant ships, the “Orinoco, the “Rhein ” ajnd the “Phrygia,” which whs later reported to be on fire in the Gulf of Mexico at the mouth of tho Panuco river. It was believed that her crow had set fire to her when a British warship intercepted her. The other three ships returned to an anchorage in the Panuco river, and the “Idarwald” and the “Rhein” left together on November 29 on their second attempt to beat the British blockade. Roth ships later sent out wifeless messages saying they were being pursued by British warships.) CA RNARV ON CASTLE. MONTEVIDEO, Dec. 8. Fifty shipworkers have started to repair the “Carnarvon Castle.” The men say they have been given >2 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. SHIP TORPEDOED. NEW YORK, Dec. 8. The s.s. “Empire Jaguar” has been torpedoed in the Atlantic, at a point 15,3-1 degrees north and 17.35 degrees west at 6.40 p.m. to-day. ANOTHER SHIP ATTACKED. NEW YORK, Dec. 8. According to the Alaekav Radio, the Norwegian ship s.s. “Hildefjord,” reported that a mysterious ship was firing on it at a point 5.20 degrees north, 12.33 degrees west at 7.10 p.m.

NETHERLAND SUBMARINE LOST. (Received this day at 12 noon). LONDON December 9. Tho London headquartefrs of the Royal Netherlands Navy has announced the loss of a Netherlands submarine in war operations. Every endeavour was made to inform the next of kin through the agency of the International Red Cross, and it is assumed these messages have now reached their destination in Holland.