RADIO REPORTS TO NAVY

Southland Times, Issue 24106, 20 April 1940, Page 4

RADIO REPORTS TO NAVY

CAREFUL WATCH BY N.Z. BOARD INTERESTS OF PRODUCERS GUARDED (Special to The Times) AUCKLAND, April 19. The part played by the merchant seamen of the Empire in the successful tracking down of the German raider Admiral Graf Spee by the Navy was related by Captain W. E. Parry, commander of H.M.S. Achilles, speaking at the annual meeting of the Flying Angel Mission to Seamen. He said merchant ships attacked by the pocket battleship sent immediate reports by radio and thus provided the Navy’s only hope of catching its quarry. “Our friend the Admiral Graf Spee on halting a ship signalled and displayed words on a huge blackboard that the wireless should not be used,” said Captain Parry. “We all know that didn’t deter most of them. Out of nine ships sunk by the raider we received reports from three, and we definitely know three others made reports which were not received.”

Captain Parry said the deliberate flouting of international law by “these confounded Germans,” in sinking merchant ships without warning, was aimed to terrorize the seamen. The intention had failed dismally. Some authorities held that it only made matters worse to fit guns on merchant ships, but he knew British sailors preferred to have something with which to hit back. It was amazing what confidence a gun gave a ship. “Britain’s existence depends on her merchant service,” continued Captain Parry. “She could not carry on without the foods these ships carry to her from all corners of the world. We in the Navy would be quite useless for that sort of thing. Our only job is to protect the merchantmen in war time. They carry on under great difficulties to keep trade going, and they deserve the thanks of all.”

Captain Parry added that the merchant service also assisted the Navy in war time by providing many splendid men, as well as ships used as auxiliary men-of-war and troopships.