ATTACKED AT SEA

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19777, 3 November 1938, Page 8

ATTACKED AT SEA

SPANISH SHIP ABANDONED GUNFIRE SHAKES CROMER LIFEBOAT GOES TO SEA BRITISH RESCUE OF CREW (Indoppndont Cnblo Surviro.) (Reed. Nov. 3,2 p.m.) LONDON. Nov. 2. The British steamer Monkwood sent a radio message to the Admiralty stating that an armed auxiliary, believed to be Spanish, was firing on s Spanish merchantman, seven miles from the Cromer lightship, off the coast of Norfolk. The merchantman was on fire.

The gunfire shook the windows at Cromer and flashes were seen to seaward. Excited crowds gathered on the cliff tops.

The merchantman's name was given as the Cartegena.

The Monkwood’s radio stated that the auxiliary, by means of a flag signal, ordered the Cartegena to “heave to or I (fire.”

The lifeboat left Cromer for the sea and other vessels later rushed to the aid of the merchantman.

The Cartegena is 'not listed, but shippers believe that she might be the Spanish vessel Cantabria, which left Gravesend yesterday from Immingham, en route to Leningrad. The harbourmaster at Immingham stated that a berth had been booked for the Cantabria in the evening, -but he had no news of her. The steamer Glenshcll was reported lo be standing by the Cantabria. A short-wave listener stated he heard a report that 10 of the crew had been picked up. Subsequently it was reported that the Cromer lifeboat had re-entered the harbour with the captain, his wife and two children and the remainder of the crew. „ The 10 men previoulsy referred to were picked up by a British coastal vessel bound for London. The lifeboat reported that the Cantabria was derelict and deserted. The auxiliary which all reports refer to as a cruiser, disappeared. The Admirality stated that it did not order a warship to the scene. As it was outside the three-mile limit no action could be taken.