Heaviest Week For Shipping Losses

Northern Advocate, 21 February 1940, Page 5

Heaviest Week For Shipping Losses

(Received 1 p.m.) LONDON, February 20. Shipping losses due to enemy action for the week ended February 18 were the highest of the war, neutrals being by far the greatest sufferers. Total losses for the war now amount to 1,059,766 tons. The week’s total was five British ships, totalling 39,276 tons, and 15 neutrals, totalling 46,801 tons. In addition, the Admiralty has notified the loss of three British vessels, totalling 7562 tons, and three neutrals, totalling 6830 tons, which were not included- in previous lists owing to ‘lack of confirmation. The tanker British Triumph (8501 tons), which was sunk in the North Sea last Wednesday, was the only ship lost in convoy last week, while IGO neutrals have been convoyed without loss, i The Allied navies last week captured three German ships, while two others were scuttled, in addition to the beaching of the Altmarck. More Neutrals Suffer. The sinkings included the Finnish vessel Wilja (3396 tons) and also the Sangstad, neither of which had previously been reported. The Admiralty has announced the capture of the German trawler, Herr Lichkeit, which was taken to a British port. Fishing boats from La Coruna, Spain, picked up survivors from two of the latest victims of the German war against neutral ships. The crew of 26 of the Greek steamer Elli, of 1114 tons, bound for Greece laden with coal from Cardiff, took to the boats after a torpedo hit the ship. The U-boat then sank her with a second torpedo. Twenty-two of the 29 members of the crew of the Spanish steamer Banderas, of 2140 tons, perished after an explosion sank the ship six miles from Cape Vilano. Two of the survivors wei’e seriously injured. Danish seafarers’ organisations have sent open letters to the British and German Governments. The letter to Britain protests against the Government forcing neutral seamen, transporting necessities to Denmark, to go to control harbours and the war zone, and suggests that they should not compel neutral ships sailing between neutral countries to enter the danger zones. The letter to Germany protests against sinkings without warning. It is officially stated that Belgium has lost 12 ships, totalling 50,000 tons, since the outbreak of war, says a Brussels cable.