A REMARKABLE STORY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3431, 24 January 1912, Page 7

A REMARKABLE STORY.

LINER SHELLED BY WARSHIP

A remarkable story was published in Paris on Saturday morning, November 25. from Algiers, of an outrage comparable to that committed on the Hull fishermen during the Russo-J aj.tan'ese war. A liner, carrying 1800' passengers, was, however on this occasion the victim of a mysterious battleship, which appeared and disappeared in the lonian Sea. in the blackness of the night. The west-bound liner Martha Washington, of the Austro-American line, running from Trieste to 'New York, vm Patras and Algiers, arrived at Algiers carrying 1802 passengers, mostly Italian emigrants, and under the command of Captain Zar. The ship’s log telle the astonishing story. On the night of November 20, as the liner was passing between the islands of Cephalonja and Zantc, several streaming searchlights suddenly surrounded her. By their lights tlie ships were vaguely distinguished about a mile away. In a tew moments the searchlights were extinguished as abruptly as they had been turned on. Then all around the ship there appeared sharp streaks of fire, followed by rumbling detonations. Simultaneously, the captain realised that shells were splashing into the sea on every side, and throwing up great waves. In terror for the safety of the lives in his care, Captain Zar demanded by electric signals that he should be allowed to proceed unmolested. The firing ceased, and after some minutes the searchlights burst out again. While they were still lighting the scene a. battleship with two funnels approached to starboard and at full speed, skirted round the Martha Washington to rejoin a whole squadron of other warships on the port side, which, according to the captain, numb-wed 12. The beams of the searchlights were then once again put out, and the liner continued her journey.