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Rogue River Courier
Grants Pass, Josephine County, Oregon
What is this article about?
British cruiser Vindictive sunk at 45-degree angle in Ostend harbor entrance, creating partial blockade that hampers German submarines and destroyers amid silting tides. Similar to Zeebrugge raid on April 23. Germans claim operation failed, with ship outside navigation channel.
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CAUSES SERIOUS BLOCKADE
Action of Tides Expected to Further Fill Harbor Entrance With Silt And Hamper Navigation
London, May 11.-It is declared on unquestionable authority that the sunken cruiser Vindictive lies in the neck of the channel at the entrance to Ostend harbor at an angle of about 45 degrees.
It is obvious that a vessel 300 feet long lying at this angle does not effectively block a channel some 320 feet wide, but a very useful purpose has been served.
A partial and serious blockade has been achieved and under the conditions of tide and rapid silt prevailing on the Belgian coast the obstruction will certainly tend to increase. It is not claimed that the sunken cruiser will prevent the egress of submarines or entirely stop that of destroyers.
However, it will materially hamper both, and that is important. German light craft will not be able, when pursued by British, forces, to rush full speed into the harbor as they have done heretofore.
The entire operation was carried out on similar lines to the raid of April 23, when concrete laden cruisers were sunk in the harbor of Zeebrugge, the most important German submarine base. For the second time in a month a smoke screen was used successfully.
The German Statement
Berlin, May 11.-The British attempt to blockade the harbor of Ostend was a failure, according to an official statement issued today.
An old cruiser entirely battered to pieces lies aground before the harbor outside the navigation channel, and the entrance to the harbor is quite free.
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Where did it happen?
Foreign News Details
Primary Location
Ostend
Event Date
Reported May 11
Outcome
partial blockade achieved, hampering submarines and destroyers; obstruction to increase with silt; germans claim failure, entrance free.
Event Details
Sunken British cruiser Vindictive lies at 45 degrees in Ostend harbor channel, partially blocking 320-foot-wide entrance despite 300-foot length. Similar to April 23 Zeebrugge raid using smoke screen. Hampers German light craft escape; tides and silt to worsen obstruction.