RAIDER CAUGHT

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21417, 10 May 1941, Page 9

RAIDER CAUGHT

CRUISER’S SUCCESS SUNK IN INDIAN OCEAN BRITISH SEAMEN RESCUED \united Press Assn.—Etcc. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, May 9 A German armed merchant cruiser, of about 10,000 tons, acting as a commerce raider in the Indian Ocean, has been intercepted and sunk by the British cruiser Cornwall, states the Admiralty. Twenty - seven British merchant seamen, who had been imprisoned on board the raider, were rescued. Fifty-three members of the enemy vessel’s* crew who survived have been imprisoned on board the warship. The Cornwall, which is commanded by Captain P. C. W. Mainwaring, suffered only superficial damage. Her fighting efficiency was not impaired. A 10,000-ton cruiser of the Kent Class, the Cornwall, which was completed in 1928. and reconstructed during 1935-38, is armed with eight, Bin. guns, eight 4in. anti-aircraft guns, and 20 smaller. She carried three aircraft, and has a speed of over 34 knots. Although no definite news has been received from H.M.S. Cornwall it is believed that the raider was a former Hansa liner of about 10,000 tons. Her armament probably consisted of six guns of 3.9 inches as well as torpedo tubes. It is likely she was fitted for minelaying and it is thought that she carried a crew of at least 300. The object of this large company would bo to provide prize crews for any captures she might make.