On the Sea

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 66, 13 November 1914, Page 5

On the Sea

H.M.S. NICER TORPEDOED IN THE DOWNS.

[United Feebs Association.]

London, November 12

The Press Bureau reports that a submarine torpedoed H.M.S. Niger in the Downs, _ and she foundered. All the officers and seventy-seven of the crew were saved. Thousands of spectators along the sea-front were watching a hundred ships that were anchored in the Downs. Suddenly an explosion occurred, 'and smoke was seen rising from the Niger, two miles out. There was groat excitement while scores of shore-boats were launched, and the crew was rescued. The Niger sank in twenty minutes. Three of the survivors were injured in the explosion. The submarine was seen, hut the torpedoers patrolling the Downs failed to catch the vessel.

H.M.S. Niger was a torpedo-boat of 810 tons, carrying two 4.7 inch guns, one of the old typo, having been built in 1893.

The Downs roadstead is eight miles long, on the east coast of Kent, England, extending from the North Foreland to the East Foreland, protected on the east by the dangerous Goodwin Sands. Ships can anchor safely in the Downs except during southerly gales. This is not the first time that the Downs have borne hostile vessels. On October 11 and 12, 1639, this was the scene of a bloody engagement between the Dutch, under Van Tromp; and the Spaniards. About forty Spanish ships.were sunk, burned, or taken. Hero also were fought at least six naval engagements between the Dutch and the English in the seventeenth century ) PARTICULARS OF THE SHOCK. THE SUBMARINE OBSERVED WHEN TOO LATE.

■ (Received 8.30 a.m.) London, November 12

The Niger was lying at anchor, and the crew were dining when the captain' saw the torpedo and called out to ’close the watertight door. A few seconds later thev vessel was struck just aft of the foremast, and there was an explosion. ; n ;s '• i ‘u.!

A m'efnbor of the crew saw the submarine come to the surface some distance away, but it again, disappeared. In a few moments the Niger commenced to settle dowh. The ere# quietly mustered but many soon jumped overboard, relying on their lifebelts and lifecollars, ’’ - a 1 ; - ; Lieut.-Commander Muir after a last search for any of the crow remaining on board, jumped into the sea as the gunboat sank in eight fathoms i, of water.

, There is much comment in Deal concerning a small cruiser which was lying in the Downs near- the Niger for two days, ahji. put to s4a yesterday in a half gale. This vessel is suspected of covering tha - submarine’s movements. ? . ... A “PUFF” FROM PARIS. .: “ ,i:ii> r > >: ■ (Received 9.10 a.m.) ■ Paris, November 12. Le Temps states: “We hasten to salute the first victory of .the young Australian Navy, which compensates to some extent for Admiral Craddock’s defeat on the Chilian coast.”

LIMELIGHT OF BRITISH PRESS.

(Received 9.10 a.m.) London, November 12

British newspapers continue to give prominence to the Sydney’s exploit and publish Mr Massey's Pukekohe speech. ITALY’S ADMIRATION OF CHIVALROUS TREATMENT. (Received 9.10 a.m.) . London, November 12. Many newspapers refer with admiration to the Emden affair and to the chivalrous treatment of the captives. The Giorinale D’ltalia says: The victory shows the enormous resource:, of the British Empire and emphasises the part Australia is playing. REFERENCES IN INDIA. (Received 9.10 a.m.) ColombOj November 12. Constant references are being made in the newspapers and public speeches in India to the importance of the Australian Fleet’s services in the security of trade. There is profound relief that the Emden has been destroyed.

HIT GERMANY HARD.

(Received 8.55 a.m.) Amsterdam, November 12

The German press admits, that t he loss of the Emden is painful, since British trade in Indian waters ;s again secure. It caused deep depression following the proud days after the Chilian engagement. Germany regards Muller as the greatest nero of I the war, and proudly recalls tho fact that the British always praised Muller’s bravery and chivalry. 'AUSTRALIAN SONS OF THE SEA. London, November 11. Sir George Reid, referring to the capture of the Emden, said: “The «ea breed is all right, and never more all right than when Australians :.re on Australian ships, under the White Ensign, with Australia’s flag at lha jackstaff.” j Newspapers contain highly congratn-

latory tributes. The Daily Telegraph says that in a Nelsonian spuit of humanity every assistance was rendered to the Emdeu’s survivors. The Australians may be prsud of the manner in which their .nary was blooded. It was New Zealand’s joy to Know that her gift ship shared the honors in the scoring-out movement in Heligoland Bight. To-day it is the Commonwealth’s turn to rejoice.”

1 The Daily Mail says: “The rest of the Empire will frankly envy the exploit, which, with the very useful jwork in the Pacific already standing to Australia’s credit, overwhelmingly justifies the prescience and patriotism in starting Australia’s own. naval unit.”

American papers declare that '.t must be an especial gratification to Britain that an Australian warship sank the Emclen, in view of the virulently contemptuous tone in which Germany invariably commented cn the uselessness of the British overseas Dominions for military and naval purposes. I HISTORY A WEEK OLD. London, November 11. j Last week the Kaiser telegraphed to the Burgomaster of Emden, congratulating the town on its godchild in the Indian Ocean, whose hold cruising deeds would fill every German heart with pride and joy.

CABLE OPERATORS’ STORY.

THE EMDEN’S VISIT TO COCOS ISLAND AND HER DEPARTURE.

(Received 9.15 a.m.) Melbourne, November 13.

The Eastern Extension Cable reports that communication with Cocos has been fully restored. The manager, in an interview, said the staff on the Island was aware they were under the protection of the British Admiralty through warships being seldom seen. As soon as the Emden was seen approaching the “5.0.5.” (danger signal) was sent out, and also a rush-cable to the naval office , at Melbourne, which must have been acted on very promptly. A remarkable feature was that the Emden, which must, have heard ,the distress signals, did not shell the wireless, mast, but as’ soon as the.. landing party stepped ashore they commenced to put the cablej out of But as the result of long experience the Eastern Employees were able to? baffle the raiders to some extent, special precautions having been taken in this case. When the Sydney hove in sight the landing party took to the boats to re-join the Emdenv j'but I the captain apparently. do- y it was too risky to waif and pick up the boats, which 4hen put 1 backhand the occupants watched the fight from land, remaining ashore till night time, when they seized the 40ton schooner Ayesha and sailed away. Though they made sure of obtaining a substantial food supply, this is unlikely to embarrass the cable staff. There |is no. further news., of the Ayesha.

SYDNEY CELEBRATIONS. (Received 9.15 ‘ Sydney, November 13. The Million Club has started a movement to celebrate the Sydney’s victory with ,a week’s ..festival of Australian drama, with an interlude of patriotic speeches and other items. The idea has aroused enthusiasm. The proceeds will bo devoted to relieving the Sydney’s injured and making presentations to her officers and crew. . THE LOST EMDEN. Per Press Association. Wellington, November 2. The, following cable has been received by the Prime Minister from the High Commissioner dated London, November 11: Official:—The Admiralty announces that the captain of the Emden and Prince Franz Joseph of Hohenzollern are both prisoners, and unwounded.

Unofficial:—The losses on the Emden were 230 wounded. The Admiralty directs that the honors of war be accorded to the survivors, and the captain and officers are not. to be deprived of their swords. The Prime Minister has despatched the following cable message to the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia:—“The Right lion. A. Fisher, Melbourne. I desire to extend to you, as Prime Minister of the Commonwealth, New Zealand’s heartiest congratulations on the brilliant feat performed by H.M.A.S. Sydney in destroying the Emden, which, since the outbreak of war, has done so much harm to British shipping. While not only appreciating to the full the protection afforded to the British communities in the Pacific by the Australian section of the Imperial navy, wo are all proud of the splendid services rendered to the Empire by their fine ships and their excellent seamen. W. F. Massey,” Wellington, November 13.

The Hon. Mr Massey has received the fallowing reply from Mr Fisher:— “I read your warm hearty message congratulating Australia on the Sydney’s success to Parliament, and it was received with cheers.” THE EMDEN’S WORK Captured or sunk, the work of the known damage inflicted by the Emden is as follows: Indus, 3398 tons, built in 1904. Lovat, 4329 tons, built in 1904. Killin, 3544 tons, built in 1908. Diplomat. 7608 tons, 13 knots, built in 1909.

Trabboch, 401*1 tons, built in 1910. Ivubinga, 4657 tons, built in 1907. ! Clan Matheaon, 4775 tons, built m 1907. King Lud, 3650 tons, built in 1906. Riberia, 3500 tons, built in 1904. Burosk, a new steamer of 4350 tons. Pumedic and Coyle—not shown in Lloyd’s list. ) Chilka, 3952 tons, built in 1910. j Tmilus, 7562 tons, built in 1914. | Benmohr, 4806 tons, built in 1912. | Clan Grant, 3948 tons, built in 1902. j Pourabbel, dredger, left the Clyde on May 30 for Launceston, put hack to Barry on June 7 in a leaky condition, and resumed her voyage on August 23. Exford, 4542 tons, built in 1911. Kawagawa Maru (1310 tons). Russian cruiser Jemtchug, 3050 tons, built in 1903, six 4.7-inch guns in primary armament, complement 335, speed 24 knots.

HEROIC RUSSIANS SAVE A A WARSHIP.

(Received 8.30 a.m.)

London. November 12

Petrograd newspapers record i-n instance of patriotic self-sacrifice. A Russian picket boat crew of seven realising that it was impossible to signal a warning to a swiftly approaching cruiser, saved the latter by rushing at full speed at a mine in the Gulf of Finland. A terrific explosion killed six of the crew. x The Czar decorated the only survivor.