The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-05-10
Valiant Allied Forces Sink Old
Ship at Ostend.
COmpetes the Action Started IN
Zeebrugge Raid.
ONLY ONE SMALL BOAT LOST
Obsolete Warrior Vindictiye
Used as Block Ship.
1t Was Flagship in Former
Raid on Bases.

Great Britain's naval triumph OF
Anril % at Zeebrugge, when this inn
portant German submarine base on
the Belgium coast was apparently
blocked by the sinking of the con-
crete-laden ships during daring
raid. has been virtually duplicated at
Ostend. another valuable base for the
Irboats Just to the east. The leat
was accomplished by the sinking lasl
night of the old cruiser NlndlctiVe'
likewise filled with concrete across
the entrance to Ostend harbor-
Ostend was originally attacked 1or
this purpose at the same time as was
Zeebrugge but the blocking Vesse!s
sent in there got slightly OIL theit !
course and their success was llo'
'Th operations begun with a view 70
closing these two ports, the admiralty
announced, have now been success
fully completed"
The Importance or the plochinS ~
erations lies in the fact that, II they
bave heen as successful as is believed
and the Germans have been deprlVeu
of both their Belgian bases they VIII
now be forced TO revert, for some line
ar least, to their own home ports as
starting and returning points LOT theIi
under-sea raiders. These craft Wouid'
therefore have to traverse far longer
more difficult and more dangerous
routes to attain their cruising grounos'
with the consequent increase by many
times the chances of their being
turned back or destroyed.
Base Believed Blocked.
London, May 10-The German sub
marine base of Ostend on the Belgian
coast has been blocked as the result
of a new raid by British naval forces.
the admiralty announces The ooso-
lete cruiser Vindictive filled with con-
crete has been sunk across the en-
trance to the harbor.
The British lost one motor boat.
Their casualties were light.
The announcement follows:
Operations designed to close the
ports of Ostend and Zeebrugge were
successfully completed last night
when the obsolete cruiser Vindictive
was sunk between the piers and across
the entrance to Ostend harbor. Since
the attack on Zeebrugge April %, the
Vinoictive had been filled with con-
crete as block ship for this purpose.
Only One Boat Lost.
"Our light forces have returned to
their base with the loss of one motor
launch. which had been damaged
and was sunk by orders of the vice
admiral to prevent it falling into the
hands of the enemy.
"Our casualties were light"
The previous raid, which was car
ried out early on the morning OF
April %, was conducted simultane-
ously against Ostend and Zeebrugge
The latter port is believed to have
been completely blocked thru the
sinking of two concrete filled cruisers
ir the channels. The mole also was
damaged by the blowing up of an ole
submarine filled with explosives and
thru the planting of bombs by 9
boarding party
Was Frustrated Before.
The raid on Ostend, however, wa.
frustrated when a high wind dispellec
the smoke screen protecting the Brit
ish ships and permitted the German
shore batteries to sink the blockade
ships before they gained their objec
tive.
One British destroyer, two moto
boats and two launches were lost a
Zeebrugge and the casualties were ex
ceedingly heavy. In last nights at
tack only one motor launch was sunk
the admiralty said. and the British
casualties were light
Americans Took Part.
French forces participated in tn,
previous raid, Sir Eric Geddes, frs
lord of admiralty announced, ant
from semi-official sources it was late
learned that Americans also had takel
part. In the first surprise of the pre-
vious attack, the Germans at Zee
brugge, believing the raid was pein;
conducted by Americans, the defen
ders of the mole shouted THE Ameri
cansi The Americans!"
Ostend is located on the North sea
eight miles east of Westend, wher,
the battle lines touch the coast. L
IL slxty-one miles from Dover and III
miles from London. Zeebrugge il
thirteen miles east of Ostend
Both Ostend and Zeebrugge ar,
connected with Bruges, the principa
Continued on Page Two