ADMIRALTY CITES THE CASE OF THE PORT ADELAIDE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16460, 9 February 1917, Page 7

ADMIRALTY CITES THE CASE OF THE PORT ADELAIDE.

PASSENGER VESSEL TORPEDOED WITHOUT WARNING. PERUVIAN BARQUE SUNK IN SPANISH WATERS. INCIDENTS WHICH ILLUSTRATE THE NEW WARFARE. Australian and N.Z. Cable deceived 11.10 p.m.) LONDON. Fob. 7. The British Admiralty reports that the Port Adelaide, carrying passengers from London to Australia, was torpedoed without warning on Saturday. The passengers landed at Vigo, Spain. A Peruvian sailing vessel bound from London was torpedoed on Monday in Spanish territorial waters. The Admiralty makes the comment: "These incidents emphasise the withdrawal of Germany's pledge to the United States not to sink passenger ships without warning, and claim the consideration of neutrals." MADRID. Feb. 7. Later details show that the Peruvian sailing vessel which was sunk was the barque Lorton, of 1419 tons. . A submarine flying the French flag appeared. Notwithstanding protests, she sank the vessel, and then hoisted the German flag. The crew of the Lorton included a German officer and several German sailors. When the submarine was sighted the Germans cut the rigging and sails to try to prevent the Lorton reaching Spanish waters. The crew of the Lorton were saved by a boat from the harbour. The Peruvian Consul has lodged a protest. The loss of the Port Adelaide had already been reported in the Herald. She belonged to the Commonwealth and Dominion Line, and was built in 1911, her gross displacement being 8181 tons. She was designed to carry a large quantity of refrigerated produce and of general cargo, and was equipped with modern devices for the expeditious handling of goods. Accommodation was provided for a limited number of passengers. The vessel was fitted with wireless apparatus.