Evening star., 1940-12-08
Atlantic Chase
For Nazi Raider
Is Reported
Two Worships Pursue;
British Ask II Hours
For Curnorvon Castle
Bk the Associated Press.

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay, Dec. 8
Sunday With at least two Brit
ish warshipS reported searching the
Atlantic for a German raider. the
British government early today asked
Uruguay to grant permission for the
auxiliary cruiser Carnarvon Castle
to remain in Montevideo Harbor 70
hours to repair damages inflicted BY
the elusive Nazi ship.
1t was expected the Uruguayan
government would approve the re-
quest, following the recommends-
tions of a commission named to ex-
anime the 20,122-ton Carnarvon
Castle
The British cruiser Enterprise. T.
$50 tons, and another warship in
the vicinity of the battle Thursdar
between the Carnarvon Castle and
the German raider were said TO have
taken up the chase immediately.
Some reports said the German ship
was a1re astern when she fed the
battle.
Action Called Within Zone.
British officials asserted the action
was fought well within the neutrality
belt set up by American republics,
with the Germans as the aggressors.
One official said the British aux
lliary cruiser. acting in accord with
international law, challenged a
suspicious vessel which failed to
halt. Then, the official said. the
British fired a shot across the YES
sells bow. The other vessel, it was
said. then turned and fired broadside
and holSted the German war ensign.
Hit by nearly a dozen shells from
the raider, the Carnarvon Castle put
into Montevideo Harbor late yester-
Gay and her captain, H NJ H HARDY.
declared his opponent ran away so
badly damaged that she will un-
doubtedly be caught and destroyed"
British Deny Seriously Wounded.
The British Legation declared in
communlque today that there were
no seriously wounded aboard the
auxiliary cruiser requiring removal
10 a hospital. The communiQue
said this fact was verified by Uru-
quay sanitary authorities.
1t said Capt Hardy of the Car
narvon Castle went TO militarv
hospital Immediately after landing
to thank Uruguay authorities there
for the preparations they had made
for reception of any wounded and
in sending ambulances to the port.
He said the ships doctors had been
able to care adequately for the cas-
ualties.
However, unofficial estimates Of
casualties ranged as high as I dead
and % injured.
1t was learned authoritatively that
a Uruguayan naval commission re-
ported after survey that the ship
would require at least 70 hours to
repair damages. She was said to
have two hits at the water line. four
near the water line and another di-
recty on the exhaust line, which
was out of commission.
Graf Spec Case Recalled.
The bulky merchant cruiser put
into Montevideo Harbor a week less
than a year after the German raider
Admiral Graf Spec arrived.
The Graf Spec was blown up by
her own commander in the harbor
rather than engage British warships
waiting for her TO leave this refuge.
The starboard side of the Carnar-
Won Castle showed a dozen hits.
Some of these were on her broad
side. One struck the starboard part
of her superstructure, forward,
blowing out that portion of the ship,
cutting her anti-mine belt and
setting fire which spread over
two decks before it was extin-
gulShed.
1t was disclosed that % German
seamen the Carnarvon Castle re-
moved from the Brazilian coastal
ship Itape November 80 were trans
ferred to another British vessel al
most Immediately" and were not
aboard at the time of the battle.
Liner Shows List to Port.
The liner showed a strong list
to port as she entered harbor, but
an official explained she was listed
purposely to keep the sea out Of
starboard hit near the waterline.
Naval experts who viewed the
vessel from the dock said it ap-
peared at least one enemy shell
exploded inside her.
Capt. Hardy issued this state
ment:
The engagement lasted one hour
and a half. 1t began with a high
speed chase, after which the enemy
continually tried to end the action
(See RAIDER, Page A-5.)