The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-13
SEVEN TURKISH GUNBOATS SUNK First Important Naval En-
 gagement of War RESISTANCE FEEBLE
FEEBLE
Many Turkish Sailors Drowned, All though Italian Vessels Sent Small Boats to Pick Them Up.
 Occurred on January z

Rome. January 12-Seven Turkish gun boats were sunk and a large number or Turkish tars were drowned or killed in the first important naval engagement or the Turco-Italian war January 2, accord ing to a telegram given out here today. The battle was fought out on the Red sea The Turks were preparing to convoy 2. military expedition which was to cross Egypt and join tho Turkish forces in Tripoli.
 The number of Turkish sailors who were drowned was not given. After the ltal- ian ships had battered the Turkish war vessels with broadsdes of shells and projectiles, the Turkish sailors swarmed into the sea. Great numbers were picked up by small craft from the Italian gun boats. A Turkish yacht in the convoy was not fired on. She is being sent to Rene.
 The division of the Italian cruisers which has been securing the coast of the Red sea in search of Turkish war ves- sels and ships conveying contraband de- stined for the Turkish garrisons in the yeomen province in Arabia encountered the notilla of Turkish gunboats and at once opened fire
 The Turks replied, but their feeble ar mament succumbed to superior weapons of the Italian war vessels. The fight was a victory for the Italians
 Official Note
 A brief official note issued this after noon says:
 ..rri. r,ai,a. a<ot ;,, 4l,a 1,ad sa. an, countered and destroyed seven Turkish gunboats and captured a Turkish armed yacht The Turkish warships offered violent resistance. but no loss was sus- tained by the Italians"
 As soon as the Italian warships encoun- tered the Turkish gunboats a short dis tanee out of the Bay of kunlida they sent shots across their bows and called upon them to surrender. The Turkish vessels gave no sign of compliance. The Italians immediately opened q terrific fire, throwing in a hall of shells from their broadsides.
 The Turkish gunners replied feebly put did not succeed in hitting the Italian war vessels All seven of the Turkish boats were soon on fire and in a few minutes began to sink Boats were lowered from the Italian warships which picked up many Turkish seamen but large num- Der were drowned.
 During the brief combat the Turkish gunners displayed utter incompetency, their small guns being fired wildly Shells from the Italian guns were not directed at the Turkish yacht. which accompanied the cunboats, and she was tho only un- damaged ship of the Turkish fotilla. The Fauvette yacht is being brought to Rome under convoy.
 The Italian warsbips which took the principal part in the battle were the cruis- CT piermonte and the destroyers Garibal- dino and Artlglleri. The conmander-in- chief had received orders to destroy or capture the Turkish sunboats as advices had been received that they were traiis- porting from Arabia Turkish troops des- tined to reinforce the Turkish army in cyrenlca by way of Egypt.
 London. January 12.-The Turkish vessels destroyed by Italian war ships were those which took refuge at Sucz several weeks ago, accord ing to a dispatch to a news agency from Rome As result of protests by Italy, the dispatch adds. the Egyptian autlori- ties disarmed the vessels and the Turkish commander subsequently, obtained permis- sion 10 leave. While departing the hotilla was overtaken by the Italian warships and sunk.