SUBMARINE WARFARE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3276, 27 December 1916, Page 19

SUBMARINE WARFARE.

The following; sinkings by submarines are reported:—The Danish vessel Michael Ontohoukoff and tho British vessel Constance Mary. The American schooner Marcus Uram was abandoned water-looged. Three of her crew were saved but the remainder were drowned. Tho British steamer Flimston (6000 tons) was sunk, and the captain and chief engineer taken prisoner. The Blah-hail (2549 tons), the Japanese steamer Taki Maru (3208 tens), and the Norwegian steamer Prima (1223 tons). The British steamers Bay Hall and Liverpool; Danish— Chesse Marsk, Gerda. The American steamer Kansard struck a mine, and her forepart was badly damaged. The following additional sinkings are reported:—British—Murex, Bonus (no Australians aboard) ; Norwegian—Avona. 'ihe Danish steamers Uroptuxyr (V) and Dansborg were sunk, and tlie Swed.sh schooner JNjord torpedoed. 'liiu latter was subsequently found abandoned, drifting in a gale. ihe Admiralty reports that the empty westward-bound British horse transport Bussian was sunk by submarines in the Mediterranean on the 14th inst. Eleven ot the crew and 17 American muleteers wire killed. The Russian left Newport News on Novem-

ber 17, with a cargo of horses, for Alexandria, with a crew of 120.

A Berlin message reports tho torpedoing of rlie French troopship Magellan (6000 tons), with 1000 persons aboard. A Marseilles telegram states that everyone was rescued.

A German official message claims that a submarine torpedoed tho French battleship Suffren (fears for the safety of which were announced by France), 50 miles north-west of Lisbon, on November 26. It is reported that torpedo boats sank tho German submarine U 46, which sank several vessels off iSt. Nazairc (off the mouth of tho estuary of ihe Loire). In the House of Commons Mr Bonar Law said the German Government had given an assurance that Captain Biaikie would not be shot, as Germany considered the Caledonia was an armed cruiser, and that Captain Biaikie only did his duty in ramming the submarine which attacked her.

Following the murder of Captain Fryatt and tho capture of Captain Blaikie, the jKing has bestowed Distinguished Service Crosses upon 10 captains of the mercantile marine and seven Distinguished Service Medals, while a long list of men arc commended for good service. Germany's answer to America's Note on the sinking of the Columbian affirms that tho Columbian was made to halt, but was released, whereupon she sent a wireless warning of the submarine's presence, an act which Germany considered un-neutral. Gn recapture she was searched and found to have contraband steel in her cargo, whereupon she was sunk. Britain's reply to America's inquiry is that the Arabia was never in the Government service. She carried some Government passengers at the Government's expense, and there were no Asiatics aboard except the crew. She did not follow the regular route because of submarines.

The Daily Chronicle's Amsterdam Correspondent states that tho German warship which a British submarine torpedoed a few weeks ago was either the Grosser Kurfursfc or the Von der Tann. It is even possible that both vessels were struck, as in the interval between the shots tho submarine commander was mistaking tho second vessel in the darkness for the first. Immediately afterwards the majority of tho crews of both vessels had a long spell of shore leave. A wireless report gives an interview with Ilerr Zimmerman, who is reported as saying that the German steamer Kolga has been sunk and seven perished. English submarines steered round, not attempting to rescue them. The British Admiralty declares that the traditions of tho navy are a sufficient repudiation of this statement. No British submarine sunk a German ship named the Kolga. It is reported that Germany has decided, in view of Lord Robert Cecil's announcement regarding arming merchantmen, that all such will be sunk without warning and tho crews treated as pirates. Figaro says: "Recent submarine developments explain Germany's cjuarrel with Norway. Germany is now requiring Holland to grant a right-of-way through the Lower Scheldt. Germany is so determined to push submarine warfare to extreme limits that she will not hesitate to resort to force against Norway and Holland, if they keep up their opposition.

GERMAN VESSEL'S ESCAPE. Tho German-owned barque Tinto eluded tho vigilance of the Chilian authorities at Port Calbuco. She had loaded considerable supplies of provisions, and is manned by a crew whose personnel is distinctly superior to the ordinary sailor. It is believed that tho Tinto is attempting a privateering expedition or the formation of a submarine base. The Prinz Friedrich Wilhelm (17,000 tons) is aground in tho Kattegat. Sho was out at sea when tho war broke out, but reached iStavanger, loaded with a cargo of wood, and lay in tho harbour for two years, until a Zeppelin on Thursday signalled to the liner to Leave Stavanger, and sail for Kiel, accompanied by the Zeppelin and two submarines. During tho voyage destroyers attempted to capture her, but tho liner was inside Norwegian territorial waters. Tho liner, in attempting to pass Little Belt in a heavy snowstorm, ran very hard ashore south of Samsoo. Danish torpedo-boats wore summoned to her assistance. Thoso > attempting her salvage failed to pull the ship off. Her oarqo is valued at 20 million marks. Tho Prinz Friedrich ia embedded in 10ft of sand, and must bo dug out. A number of Gorman warships failed to tow her off.

Danish torpedo boats are guarding the locality.