Evening star., 1939-09-24
War at Sea

Britannia was still mistress of the seas
as the war ended its third week, but the
queen had definite touches of NAL de
mer.
First major shock of the seven days
was the news Monday that H. M. S.
Courageous, % 2,500-ton aircraft carrier in
the British fleet, had been done to
death "by enemy submarine action" The
death toll was finally fixed at 579, with
68l rescued.
Exact circumstances of destruction of
the carrier were not revealed, but ap-
parently two tor
Loss Of Courageous pedoes drove their
Moior Disoster way into ships
vitals. Attending
destroyers Immediately attacked and the
admiralty expressed opinion that the
raider was blown to bits by depth bombs
About 40 planes were believed aboard
Courageous
Built in 1916, Courageous was a con-
verted cruiser. Her destruction leaves
the royal fleet with five aircraft car
riers-Ark Royal. Furious, Eagle, Her
macs and Glorious, sister ship to
Courageous
The week ended with wartime shipping
casualties numbering At least more than
twoscore. OF total nearly 50 have been
of British registry, with Athena and
Courageous being major victims: Ger
many had lost at least nine, three by
mines, three by British warships and
three by wreck; France thus far had
suffered only minor losses. Neutral
losses stood at six. Tonnage, exclusive
of cargoes, totaled more than 200, 900 for
the destroyed vessels.
Including Courageous missing, cost in
lives was about 300, among them Amer
leans heading for home.
British, on restless patrol of all the
oceans frightened blockade of Germany
by searching all neutral vessels in Euro
pean waters. At last count some 200
had been detained for inspection; in sew
eral instances passengers or crew men,
bers had been removed for interninp and
cargoes diverted.
Admitting their losses, British and
French countered by claiming destruction
of at least 10, maybe a dozen, German
submarines. With.
Germon U-Boots out details, Cham
Paw Penalty berlain accused self
of 'understating
when he estimated on Wednesday that
already six or seven submarines have
paid the full penalty" French patrols
claimed "folr or five
Actual knowledge is lacking of exact
size of Nazi undersea fleet, but James
Fighting Ships, authoritative British
naval annual, listed II subs commissioned
or near completion in 1888 Smaller for
most part than World War U-boats, mod
ern German raiders have shorter cruis-
ing range but can be replaced more
quickly and cheaply.
Destructive diligence of Nazi undersea
boats has had distinct effect on nom
belligerent shipping fortunes. For nearly
a week, nine American liners have fretted
at New York docks while crews and COM
panies haggled over increased compen-
sation and insurance for seamen going
into danger zones.
Bargain was struck on Thursday. rep
resenting compromise; four ships sailed
Friday, others prepared to leave within
few hours.
In Washington, Maritime Commits
sion planned pressure on Congress for
war risk and marine insurance authority,
In European waters, United States de-
stroyers Badger and Jacob Jones escorted
United States ship Manhattan out of
danger zone. American passengers ar
irving on Cunarder Aquitania criticized
Ambassador Kennedy's warning against
using belligerent ships; State Department
approved his action.
In Hudson River, Polish captain of
NJ S. Batory reported "mutiny" when his
crew refused to accept British admiralty
orders. anonymously, Yonkers police
took over emergency to relieve captain OF
command, hand ship to former first
officer.
Has anybody seen the Bremen?