MINESWEEPING HAZARDS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 142, 17 May 1941, Page 6

MINESWEEPING HAZARDS.

WiiEHEVEit the enemy sows his deadly mines British sailors perform the hazardous duty of removing the menace from the seas. Daily the task is being performed around the coasts of: Britain to keep the waters as secure as they possibly can be from one of war’s most destructive agents to shipping. Ever since the laying of German mines on (lie coast of New Zealand in the vicinity of Auckland one of which sent the Niagara to its doom within a short space of time, the New Zealand minesweeping flotilla has been engaged in removing these instruments of destruction. Its personnel has rendered most valuable service in all these months, doing . its job in the real Navy manner while the people have gone about their daily avocations mostly unaware of what has been done. Erom early reports if was clear that the flotilla had removed many obstacles to the safety of shipping, but unfortunately one of its units has itself fallen the victim to a mine with the loss of five of its personnel, while several more have been injured. Thus is the war again brought sharply to the people of New Zealand. The whole country will mourn the loss of these brave sailors, whose job is to faee the hazards of the deep as they make the way safe for those who go down to the sea in ships. The Purili has suffered the fate of quite a number of British minesweepers, and it is a matter for congratulation that the casualties were not heavier.