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by the ship responsible for the mines on the Agulhas Bank and those suspected off Durban. Since the loss of the S.S. Niagara a mine has been swept three miles North of her position.

British Minelaying.

16. Considerable additions have been made off the East Coast Barrier in the period under review. On the 13th June H.M.S. Teviot Bank, H.M.S. Intrepid, H.M.S. Plover laid 400 mines, and on the 16th the same ships, with the addition of H.M.S. Express, laid a further 450. On the 19th H.M.S. Teviot Bank added 340 more. H.M.S/M. Narwhal laid 50 off Haugesund on the 12th, and H.M.S/M. Porpoise 50 off Ramsoe Fjord on the 14th. Minelaying by aircraft off German ports proceeded intermittently during the week. In the Mediterranean H.M.S/M. Grampus laid 50 mines off Augusta on the 13th June, and H.M.S/M. Rorqual laid 50 off Brindisi on the 16th June.

Enemy Merchant Shipping.

German.

17. The S.S. Barenfels (7,569 tons) was reported on the 11th June to have been raised at Bergen. This ship had not previously been identified as having been sunk, but she may have been the ammunition ship which was sunk in the raids on the 9th and 10th April.

A report has come from Cadiz that a German ship loaded gas oil fuel and stores on the 10th June. There are four German merchant ships at Cadiz, of which only one, the Thalia (1,122 tons), has shown any activity since the war began.

Reports have been received that five German ships, which had been taking refuge at Trieste, were requisitioned by the Italian Government immediately previous to Italy's entry into the war. These ships are the S.S. Frienfels (7,563 tons), S.S. Reichenfels (7,744 tons), S.S. Wachtfels (8,467 tons), S.S. Ankara (4,768 tons) and S.S. Maritza (2,910 tons). The two last have been previously employed carrying bauxite from Yugoslavia to Trieste, and on the 18th June the S.S. Maritza is reported to have arrived at Sibenik for more bauxite for Germany. The S.S. Arauca (4,400 tons), which is at Port Everglades in Florida, was reported on the 10th June to have received 500 tons of oil fuel.

Italian.

18. The S.S. Conte Biancamano (23,255 tons) is at Balboa, and proceedings have been instituted for her arrest by the Asiatic Petroleum Company. The S.S. Caterina Madre (4,020 tons) at Braila and the S.S. Abbrazzia (3,706 tons) at Galatz are also subject to proceedings by the Asiatic Petroleum Company for debt. The S.S. Santarosa (3,027 tons), which is at Norfolk, Virginia, is said to have been sequestered for an American debt.

Enemy Naval Intelligence.

German.

19. On the 17th June a cruiser of the Nürnberg class and four small craft were reported by aircraft west of Narvik.

On the night of the 17th/18th June a large enemy ship was reported between Cuxhaven and Heligoland. It is possible that it may have been the Admiral Scheer undergoing trials.

Italian.

20. It is believed that no major changes have been made in the Italian Fleet Dispositions since the outbreak of war, except that it is reported that a Third Squadron known as the "Special Squadron has been formed, and this is able to be based on Augusta and Messina. It is thought that this Third Squadron consists of the cruisers-

Trento,

Bande Nere,

Luigi Cadona,

with probably some destroyers or torpedo boats.

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