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These figures do not include the S.S. Charles F. Meyer (10,516 tons), damaged by mine, and the S.S. Domala (8,441 tons), seriously damaged and set on fire by air attacks, as these two ships were not sunk.
Details of attacks on shipping, so far as they are known, are given in Appendix I.
German Minelaying.
11. There is no direct evidence of any new German minefields except the possible magnetic field in the Bristol Channel, referred to under British mine- sweeping. It is not certain, however, how long this field has been there.
Russian Minelaying.
12. The Russians are reported to be mining the approaches to Sebastopol, Odessa and Batum.
British Minesweeping.
13. The British mine-sweeping effort was again centred on the East Coast. The 5th Minesweeping Flotilla has been temporarily transferred to the Humber. Early on the 2nd March the British S.S. Albano was mined half a mile out of the War Channel to the north of the Tyne. Three mines were cut in the neigh- bourhood, and the Channel was closed for the day while sweeping took place, but was reopened in the evening. Three more mines were cut to the westward of the Channel the following day. It is probable that the mines were part of the old
field.
As a result of the presumed mining of the S.S. Cato in the Bristol Channel a dangerous area was declared, and Barry and ports further to the eastward were closed. Sweeping was carried out on the 5th March; new searched channels were promulgated for Swansea, and reduced channels for other ports in the eastern half.
Sweeping continued in the Outer Dowsing area and seven more mines were cut. One mine was cut during the week in the dangerous area north-west of the Cromer Knoll Light Vessel and the channel still has an awkward turn in it.
A magnetic mine was exploded by skids about 14 miles south of Cockle Light Vessel in Yarmouth northern approach. This approach has been closed since the mining of the Trawler Washington on the 5th December.
German Merchant Shipping.
14. During the period under review five German ships, totalling 24,336 tons, were scuttled when intercepted.
Two ships, the S.S. Wolfsburg (6,201 tons) and the S.S. Uruguay (5,846 tons), were intercepted in the Denmark Straits, both ships being set on fire by their crews, who were picked up.
The S.S. Arucas (3,369 tons) was intercepted S.E. of Iceland in very bad weather. The crew, who started to abandon the ship, were ordered back, but could not save the ship. Fifteen of the crew were drowned by the capsizing of their boat, and the remainder were saved.
The S.S. Troja (2,590 tons) and the S.S. Heidleberg (6,530 tons) were intercepted in the Caribbean Sea and the crews saved.
The S.S. Wangoni (7,848 tons) was intercepted in the Skagerrak by H.M. Submarine Triton, but having superior speed escaped under cover of darkness.
The S.S. Seattle (7,369 tons), S.S. Mimi Horn (4,007 tons), S.S. Vancouver (8,269 tons) are reported to have sailed from Curacoa, and the S.S. Antilla (4,480 tons) is again reported as about to sail from Aruba.
Economic Warfare.
15. During the week ending the 2nd March, 3,264 tons of cargo destined for Germany were seized in prize. The main items include 749 tons of fuel oil from Italian and Belgian ships, 727 tons of fat oil and waxes from Italian and Swedish vessels, and 1,449 tons of food products, 900 tons of which came from a Yugoslav ship.
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