NAVAL ACTION FOUGHT OFF THE GULF OF RIGA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16673, 18 October 1917, Page 5

NAVAL ACTION FOUGHT OFF THE GULF OF RIGA.

RUSSIAN PATROL STUBBORNLY RESISTS ENEMY. • ,5, GERMANS ARMING FINNS TO ATTACK PETROGRAD. , , , >•;. By Telegraph— Association— Australian and N.Z. and Renter. (Reed. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. Oct. 16. A Russian official report states: A German Dreadnought shelled '.a patrol squadron off Siele Sound, between Oesel and Dago Islands, and damaged one torpedo-boat. ■ Subsequently 12 German torpedoboats cf the newest type penetrated Siele Sound, engaged a patrol •squadron, and sank the vesssl already damaged. The bulk of the crew were saved. We sank an enemy torpedo-boat. Others of our warships appearing, the enemy turned back. The fleet commander testifies to the good firing and stubborn spirit of our crews. Eyewitnesses state that two German torpedo-boats were sunk and two damaged.' The Germans have been reinforced, and continue to develop their success at Oesel Island. They are endeavouring to : capture the batteries at Cerel, covering the entrance to tho Gulf of Riga. i;'• v '

v. v A German official report states: We are in possession of the main 0, portion pf Oesel Island. The Russians are isolated on the Sworbe Peninsula, on the south-western coast, where they Me still desperately resisting. Only portions of the enemy force on the east coast escaped in the direction of Moon Island, between Oesel Island and the mainland. ' We took prisoner 4500 men and captured 30 guns and some \t aeroplanes. We have occupied the islands of Runo and Abro, in the %' Gulf of Finland. " Australian and N.Z. (Received 7.35 p.m.) STOCKHOLM. Oct. 16. German submarines have been seen on the coast of Finland, delivering arms and other war material to the Firms, to assist in an attack upon Petrograd. There is evidence that a German arms depot llfey lias bepn established on the Swedish coast. Swedish Customs officers • found a cargo of arms on a Finnish yacht- The Finns drove back tho officers with revolvers and sailed away.