MINE VICTIM

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 9 December 1940, Page 6

MINE VICTIM

OVERSEAS VESSEL OFF AUSTRALIAN COAST TUGS RUSH TO RESCUE [U.P.A.-By Electric Telegraph-Copyright] (By Tasman Air Mail) SYDNEY, Bth December. Another ship was mined off the Australian coast late last night. The vessel, a British overseas cargo ship, struck a mine in South Australian waters, but is still afloat. Two of the most powerful tugs and a ketch have gone from a South Australian port to the vessel’s assistance. Naval authorities are also rushing immediate assistance to clear the waters concerned of danger. This is the eleventh shipping disaster, due to warfare, in Australian waters, since the war began. The tonnage lost amounted to 68,537 tons, without adding the unrevealed tonnage of the ship sunk on Thursday. The total is 13 disasters when two vessels lost in New Zealand waters are included. These were the Niagara and an unnamed British ship shelled and presumed lost. They bring the lost tonnage to 98,699 tons, not including Thursday’s vessel. The Haxley was reported to have been sunk in Australian waters, but it is now revealed she was lost off Bermuda.