GERMAN PACIFIC FLEETS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8810, 13 August 1914, Page 7

GERMAN PACIFIC FLEETS

CHINA SQUADRON CRUISING SOUTHWARD. The German squadron in the Pacific consists of three vessels—tho cruisers Condor and Comoran-and the surveying ship Planet. The Condor and Comoran are used for patrol duty in the islands of the Bismarck Archipelago, and are sister ships. They are both well-known at Sydney, making periodical visits for docking purposes. Both vessels are third-class cruisers of 1614 tons. The Condor was built at Hamburg in 1892, and the Cormoran in the same year at Danzig; Each vessel has a length of 246 feet, and beam of 33ft 6in, with engines of 2930 horse-power. The -armament of each ship consists of eight 4.lin guns and seven machine guns. They have each two torpedo tubes. The speed of the ships is given as 16 knots per hour. Each vessel has a complement of 165 all told. The coal capacity of each ship is 300 tons. In addition to the three Ships mentioned, news reached Sydney some days ago, says the “Telegraph,” that the German fleet on tho China station was cruising in the Pacific. This fleet consists of, the flagship Gnoisenau, 11,420 tons 34 guns; the cruiser Scharnhorst, 11,420 tons, 34 guns; and tho cruiser Nujnberg, 3390 tons, 18 guns,’ The supply ship Titania is accompanying tho squadron. According to letters received in Sydney, the squadron was duo at. Apia, Samoa, on Friday, but in view of the position of affairs in Europe it is more than probable that the programme of their movements would he altered. They would bo in wireless communication with Yap, m the Caroline Group.