SHIPS ATTACKED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22820, 30 August 1937, Page 9

SHIPS ATTACKED

EEBEL AIR EAIDS BRITISH VESSEL DAMAGED DESTROYERS TO THE RESCUE \ By Tolegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received August 29, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, August 28 Two British ships, the African Trader and the Hilda Moller, were bombed by rebel airmen in Spanish territorial waters while leaving the loyalist port of Gijon this evening. The Admiralty states that the African Trader was hit on the forward deck and holed close to the waterline. Two members of the crew of the Hilda Moller were injured.

The rebels also bombed the Stanbridge and the Stanwood in Gijon harbour.

The British destroyers, the Fearless and the Foresight, which were patrolling outside territorial waters, answered the call of the captain of the African Trader for help apd steamed to meet the damaged vessel, which was still moving under her own steam. J/ater, she was reported to be steaming slowly for Bordeaux, the destroyers still in attendance.

The crew of an aeroplane of unknown nationality bombed the British oil tanker Romford near Barcelona. No damage was caused. The Bordeaux authorities state that 29,000 refugees from Spain arrived during the week, all of whom will be sent to Catalonia.

A message from Gijon states that the commander of the destroyer Fearless is investigating a report that rebels fired on the steamer Bramhill. ADVICE TO OWNERS ESSENTIAL PRECAUTIONS IDENTIFICATION SIGNS British Wireless RUGBY, August 27 Board of Trade notices containing advice to enable British ships trading in Spanish waters to be easily distinguished have been circulated to all ship-owners. The Chamber of Shipping distributed the notice, the principal recommendations of which are: — Always fly the Red Ensign. Have the national colours prominently painted on the ship. Faint' in the" largest possible letters on the port and starboard sides the vessel's name. Enter and leave loyalist ports only after dawn or before dusk. This advice has been issued in the hope that easy identification of British vessels will avoid further incidents.

TURKEY'S ACTION SEARCH FOR SUBMARINE ISTANBUL. August 27 Three Turkish warships at present are patrolling the Sea of Marmora in search of the foreign submarine which was sighted there. The President, Kamal Ataturk, sent a Note to the Powers warning them that if submarines entered the straits they would be captured or destroyed if they did not surrender., . Raiding submarines are believed to have their base in the Dodecanese Islands (Italian), ' frhere they were fuelled and munitioned.

Foreign steamers at Turkish ports are painting their national colours prominently on their sides like neutral ships during the war. Valencia is permitting Spanish steamers to delay departure from the Black Sea. 1