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Up to date, apart from casualties, 176 moored and 41 magnetic mines have ́ been accounted for; the latter include 16 by H.M.S. Borde, 9 by magnetic sweep, 5 by skids, 8 miscellaneous and 3 recovered. It is now almost certain that the magnetic mines laid from submarines work in the same way as those laid by aircraft. Experiments have been carried out to deal with these mines, and the This includes future policy for dealing with them has now been decided.

24 pairs of ships fitted with double "L" sweeps, which will be ready by the end of March, and 10 ships similar to the Borde, besides a large number of skids and towing craft.

German Merchant Shipping.

13. Information having been received that 6 German merchant ships had left Vigo on the night of the 10th February, an operation, in which both British and French forces participated, was carried out during the 12th to the 14th with the object of intercepting them. On the 12th s.s. Morea (1,927 tons) was captured by H.M. destroyers Hardy and Hero some 300 miles west of Vigo; an attempt to scuttle her was foiled by the prize crew. On the same day French forces captured the Rostock (2,542 tons) just outside territorial waters off Vigo; she was added to a French convoy which was conveniently passing en route for a French port. None of the other ships have been located up to date, but patrols to the north-westward of the Orkneys have been specially strengthened on the assumption that the German ships are proceeding to Germany.

14. In the South Atlantic, s.s. Wakama (3,771 tons), which left Rio de Janeiro on the 11th February with a cargo of hides, mica and wool, set herself on fire on the 12th to avoid capture by H.M.S. Dorsetshire, whose aircraft had sighted her. Ten officers and 36 men were picked up; the ship was sunk.

Economic Warfare.

15. The tonnage of ships entering and clearing British ports continues to rise.

Imports in convoyed ships during the period the 4th February-10th February inclusive, show an increase of 222,249 tons over the previous week. Exceptionally large entries of fuel oil and cereals were received, and during the week ending the 10th February a further 3,189 tons of cargo destined for Germany were seized in prize, which included 1,163 tons of base metals, 880 tons of food-stuffs, &c.

Accidents.

16. On the 7th February, H.M. patrol vessels Mallard and Pintail were in collision; as a result Mallard requires to be docked.

H.M.S. Revenge, while leaving Halifax in a fog, collided with the tanker Appalachee; temporary repairs can be effected by the Ship's staff.

On the 10th February a collision occurred in the Clyde approaches between H.M.S. Suffolk and the s.s. Masirah (6,578 tons), resulting in the cruiser being holed abreast of "B" Turret, and Masirah receiving serious damage to her bows. Three were killed and eight injured in Suffolk.

On the same day, the s.s. Branksea (214 tons), an intended block-ship for Scapa, sank off Aberdeen while in tow, the mate of the tug being killed.

MILITARY SITUATION.

Western Front.

17.

Apart from the usual patrolling and artillery activity, no operations have occurred during the week under review.

Germany.

Distribution of the German Army.

18. The distribution of German divisions shows an increase of one in Poland, this is the only change reported. The total is now believed to be 143-145. In Weekly Résumé No. 23, paragraph 27, the heading Mountain" should have

been Motorised."

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