MONITORS ENGAGED IN COASTAL BOMBARDMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15747, 23 October 1914, Page 5

MONITORS ENGAGED IN COASTAL BOMBARDMENT.

ACQUIRED SINCE THE OUTBREAK OF WAR.

NAVAL DETACHMENTS ASSIST IN DEFENCE OF NIEUPQRT. Wellington, October 22. The following cable has been received by the Prime Minister from the High Commissioner in London, dated October 22:— The Admiralty has announced that the monitors Severn, Humber and Mersey were recently engaged in operations off the Belgian coast, firing on the right flank of the German Army. Owing to their light draft they have been able to contribute materially to the success of the operations in this district, abundantly justifying their acquisition on the outbreak of war. Detachments with machine guns were landed from these vessels to assist in the defence of Nieuport, and performed meritorious service. A monitor is an armoured, light-draught turret vessel, of comparatively small tonnage. Monitors are extensively used on the, Danube and on the great South American rivers. The latest reference books published before the outbreak of war did not indicate that monitors of any class were included in the British Navy, or were being built for the Admiralty. The monitors referred to were evidently taken over from some, neutral nation; and it is therefore interesting to note that early in 1914 three monitors—the Javary, .Madeira, and Solimoes —were being built for Brazil by Messrs. Vickers at Barrow. Each of these vessels was armoured, displaced 1200 tons, and was armed with two 6in, two 4.Tin, and four 3-pounder guns.