The Bismarck Tribune

BELEAGUERED CITY CHEERS ARRIVAL OF TONS OF SUPPLIES

British Men-of-War Convoy Flotilla to Three Mile Limit Off Coast

REBEL SHELLING IS FUTILE

Fourth Vessel Carrying Food Also Sneaks Into Loyalist Harbor of Gijon

Three British freighters, under the partial protection of men-of-war, steamed into Bilbao Friday to the cheers of thrilled Basques and the crash of insurgent shells.

Government aviators, rising to beat back the rebel bombers engaged in deadly sky fights in the Nervion river dock of provisions, docked in the broad Nervion river.

The food freighters MacGregor, Hamsterley, and Stanmore, despite threats from the insurgent cruiser Almirante Cervera and armed trawler Calerna yesterday the three-mile limit under the protecting guns of H.M.S. Hood, the world's largest battleship and a flotilla of British destroyers.

Trawler Conveys Fleet

The Basque trawler Pitaya then convoyed the food fleet into Bilbao's port inside the three-mile limit, in which official British protection has been forbidden.

While joyful Basques were applauding the captains and crews of vessels, insurgent airmen dumped more than 50 bombs on Bilbao but made no attempt to damage the British ships.

Government aviators, rising to beat back the rebel bombers, engaged in deadly sky fights in the Nervion river.

One insurgent ship fell in the sea and two others crashed behind the insurgent siege lines.

The three cargo vessels, bringing relief to Bilbao's starving population swollen from 160,000 to almost 400,000 by refugees, defied the shells of the insurgent fleet during their night and docked just after 8 a.m.

Food Fleet Staggered

Just before dawn, the skipper of the Hamsterley made after their successful break through the blockade.

The insurgent cruiser Almirante Cervera and the armed trawler Galerna belted the miniature fleet, as crashing into the seas just off their bows came one shot from the Cervera to be followed by a terse note from the insurgent commander:

"We shall sink you if you do not halt."

The hovering battle cruiser Hood mightiest warship afloat, was quickly advised of the situation and steamed to the rescue with the destroyer flotilla under her command.

From then until they reached Spanish territorial waters the British warships covered the merchantmen and there at the three-mile limit turned them over to the protection of the government armed trawler Bizkaya.

Trawler Seeks Cover

Basque coastal gunners sighted the insurgent warships as the merchant fleet approached the coast and tried to pick them off with a shower of shells. The insurgent trawler Galerna darted between the cargo boats seeking cover.

The British merchant ships moved apart, leaving the Galerna in open water. Then the trawler withdrew under hot Basque artillery fire.

Adding to the joy of the occasion was news from the governor general of the province of Asturias to the west that a fourth food ship had run the blockade and docked with a cargo of food at Gijon.

The Welsh steamer Mary Llewellyn under the command of Capt. "Potato" Jones arrived at Gijon during the morning.

"Potato" Jones is so-called to distinguish him from his colleague, Capt. Owen "Corncob" Jones, who commanded the MacGregor during the night voyage from St. Jean de Luz, where he and the other food ship skippers had been forced to flee from earlier attacks of the insurgent fleet.