STEAMERS TORPEDOED

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21036, 12 February 1940, Page 7

STEAMERS TORPEDOED

TWO MEN MISSING TWO VESSELS REACH PORT (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright» LONDON, Feb. 10 The British steamer Chagres, of 5406 tons, sank after an enemy attack off the north-west coast. The master, Captain Hugh Roberts, who was awarded the 0.8. E. for shaking off a submarine on September 7, was among 62 saved of the 64 members of the crew. With a huge hole in her hull, the Dutch motor-tanker Ceronia, of 8096 tons, has limped into a British port. She was torpedoed 10 days ago and since then has travelled 400 mile almost broken in two and joined only by the twisted wreckage of her decks amidships. The Newcastle steamer Gripfast, of 1109 tons, which has been aground since a German bombing attack upon her last week, has been refloated and towed to port. The Dutch steamer Burgerdijk, of 6853 tons, reported by radio that she was sinking off the south-west coast after a collision.

The British steamer Oregon, of 6000 tons, which the Germans claimed to have sunk on February 2 was towed into the River Tagus, Portugal, to-day. An agency message says the vessel was disabled by losing a propeller.