WERE NAZI SAILORS ABOARD ?

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21186, 5 November 1938, Page 17

WERE NAZI SAILORS ABOARD ?

Sinking of Spanish Steamer Ruthless Attacks Described Alleged Presence of Germans United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, November 3. The Board of Trade officially states that the Cantabria was not a British ship in the terms of international law. The captain of the Pattersonian stated that when he first sighted the Cantabria and Nadir they were about 300 yards apart. The afterpart of the Cantabria was enveloped in steam. A boat was lowered and he headed the Pattersonian for the boat. As he did so, the Nadir reversed. “I had to reverse so quickly to avoid a collision,” he said, “that I fell certain it was a deliberate attempt to head me off. We went forward again and picked up the men who were terrified they would be sent to the Nadir.” Another message states that the Nadir was photographed from an aeroplane as she was steaming at full speed down the English Channel. An illustration in the evening papers reveals her great speed with a big bow wake and rakish merchantman design similar to that of the Awatea. Although the picture was taken close up, guns are invisible. A sailor on the Cantabria declared that German sailors were aboard the Nadir.