ACTION WITH SUBMARINE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24833, 5 February 1942, Page 4

ACTION WITH SUBMARINE

MERCHANT CRUISER MONOWAI OUTSIDE DOMINION WATERS (F.0.P.R.) WELLINGTON, Feb. 4. It was officially announced to-night that an action between H.M.N.Z.S. Monowai and an enemy submarine took place recently outside New Zealand waters. No hits were scored by either the armed merchant cruiser or the submarine. .'•• .'.■.••• '■•' '' There were indications, the announcement says, that two torpedoes had been fired at the ship, and five minutes later a submarine surfaced a little more than four miles away, approximately in the direction from which the torpedoes had come. The Monowai immediately opened fire, and her fire was returned by the enemy. No hits were made by either side. ' .

Six minutes later the action was broken off by the submarine, which dived and disappeared. The weather at the time was poor, with a heavy thunderstorm and rain squalls.

This was the first time on which the Monowai had been in action, and in his report the commanding officer praised the conduct of the ship's company. " The ratings included many young hands," he said, "and all showed great steadiness under fire."