SUBMARINE ATTACK

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24950, 24 June 1942, Page 5

SUBMARINE ATTACK

VANCOUVER ISLAND SHELLING NO DAMAGE CAUSED (Rec. 9.30 p.m.) OTTAWA, June 22. The Minister of Defence, Colonel J. L. Ralston, speaking in the House of Commons, said that two or more submarines probably participated in the shelling on Saturday night of Estevan Point, Vancouver Island. Thirty or more, shells were' fired at the radio station. The attack lasted 40 minutes, but caused no damage.

Colonel Doney, commanding officer of Fort Stevens, disclosed that last night nine five-inch explosive shells, which were undoubtedly fired from a large' enemy submarine several miles out at sea, landed near the Columbia River harbour defences, Fort Stevens reservation. * Colonel Doney said the shells landed harmlessly on beaches and swamps. There were no casualties and no damage was caused. SINKINGS OFF EAST COAST A RECENT DECREASE WASHINGTON, (Rec. 8 p.m.) June 22. The United States Navy Department announced that the navy has been convoying merchantmen through lanes in the eastern sea frontier for approximately the past 30 days. The eastern sea frontier covers the coast from Florida to Maine. A drop in the sinking of merchantmen off the east coast has been noted in recent weeks, but there has been some increase in the attacks in the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. The 4800-ton vessel the Rio Tercera was sunk 120 miles off New York Harbour, but it is not known whether it was torpedoed or struck a mine. It is believed that all the crew were rescued. TOWN IN OREGON SHELLED LONDON, June 22. A report from San Francisco says the army authorities announced that between six and nine shells, apparently fired from an unidentified craft off shore, landed in an area north of a seaside town in Oregon at 11.30 p.m. local time on Sunday. There was no damage and no casualties have been reported. It is believed that the shells were from the submarine which attacked Vancouver on the previous day.

The town is near the mouth of the Columbia River, and is essentially a pleasure resort. No military installations are near. Further details are at present not available.