SHIP ON FIRE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23840, 16 December 1940, Page 6

SHIP ON FIRE

SHELLED BY RAIDER REPORT FROM NAURU OTHER VESSELS WARNED NEW ZEALAND SHIP LOST [by telegraph —PRESS association] "WELLINGTON, Saturday The Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, announced to-day with deep regret that reports received from Nauru indicated that a British ship was on fire off the island last Sunday morning. The weather was had, and poor visibility hindered observation. In the afternoon the ship was seen to be on fire, and apparently being shelled by another vessel, and both shortly disappeared. "All British shipping known to he in the vicinity was instructed to proceed to other ports," said Mr. Fraser. "This instruction and the necessary wireless silence imposed on shipping is responsible. for the fact that nothing further has been sighted from Nauru and no reports have yet been received from the ships concerned. "Unfortunately there appear to he substantial indications that at least one other vessel, which is on New Zealand articles, has been intercepted by a raider, and the next-of-kin ot all those on board this second vessel have already boon advised by telegram ol all the facts that are available, and of the sympathy of the New Zealand Government. in their anxiety. "Wireless eomniunieatiog with Nauru, which is under the care of the Australian Commonwealth Naval Board, is being maintained and further information is awaited." HAZE HELPS ENEMY BLOWS AT SHIPPING COMMENT BY MR. HUGHES FLEET IN THE MEDITERRANEAN By Tasman Air Mail SYDNEY, Dec. 15 Unfavourable weather at Nauru—one of the dreads of mariners in the Pacific probablv gave the German raider hoi victim. Through a curtain of haze, the islanders saw glimpses of the drama one ship on tire and a second vessel standing off. her guns blazing. The British ship was sighted a few miles off the shore soon after daylight and was waiting for favourable weather to approach the island to begin loading a cargo of phosphates. Haze blotted out the ship soon afterward. and the islanders saw nothing until the afternoon, when visibility improved. One ship was on fire, and the raider some distance away, firing upon her. Before the islanders could see the end of the drama both ships vanished again. Continuous Naval Patrols A concentrated otiort by enemy raiders to cripple Australian shipping and so prevent supplies reaching England is indicated bv the latest attack off Nauru Island. "More mine-swe.epors have boon added to the Fleet around the Australian eoa«t and safe sea channels are being maintained." said the Minister for the Navy, Mr. Hughes, last night. "Continuous patrols are being carried out by the Navy, which is working in close co-operation with the .Royal Australian Air Force." he added, this resulted in a more efficient national defence effort, particularly in trade defence operations around our coasts. "While ovorv possible precaution is taken to safeguard shipping," said Mr. Hughes, "the possibility of a stray raider sneaking a few hours of darkness to drop mines overboard cannot be ruled out. Just as mines have been laid off the South African and the New Zealand coasts, so Australia has now to deal with this menace." Far-reaching Effect "Although it has been stated thatseveral ships wore waiting to berth at Nauru, there is no evidence that the raider had attacked more than one vessel." the Minister added. "Remote as the two theatres of action —raiders in the Pacific. Indian and Atlantic Oceans, and the naval and military moves in the Mediterranean —appear to be, they arc in realitv closely and intimately related." said Mr. Hughes. "The eollapse of Italy would ultimately have a very far-reaching effect on the European situation, but its effect on conditions in the Pacific would be more immediate and more profound. Free for Duty Elsewhere "A very substantial part of the British I'ioef would he liberated for dutv el sew her \ This would enable the number of naval patrols greatly to be increased, and enable more warships to he made available to search lor raiders." Equipment of Australian ships with paravanes as a protection against, mines and efforts to expand local shipbuilding are measures now being taken by the Commonwealth Government. The Minister for Supply, Senator Meßride, has announced that stops are being taken to prevent domestic disorganisation in the event, of interference with coast J shipping.