Collision Between Cruisers and Destroyers in Manoeuvres Tokyo, Aug. 25.
Two collisions, both between a cruiser and a destroyer, occurred in the manuvres last' night off Maizoru, One of the destroyers sank, and 12 offers and 117 naval, ratings are missing.
Tt seems that the cruiser Jindzu collided with the destroyer Warabi the dark, the destroyer sinking 15 minutes later.
Of the ship's company only 22 men were picked up. Twelve officers and ninety petty officers and blve-Jackets are missing.
The bows of the Jindzu were badly damaged. She had to. be towed into port by the battle cruiser Kongo.
At about the same time the cruiser Naka collided with the destroyer Ashi, cutting through her stern, resulting in a further loss of 21 rating The Naka, which suffered no serious damage, was able to proceed under her own'steam to port after temporary repairs had been effected, but the Ashi had to be towed in by the cruiser Abukuma.
Prince Hiroyoshi Fushimi was on board the Naka when the collision occurred but he was not hurt, A Navy spokesman, describing the disaster, stated that the combined fleet having completed the main manquvres off the Bungo Straits, [during which the explosion occurred on board the minelayer 'Tokiwa on 'August 1, was returning to the bate Maizura, It was practicing measures for protection against night-attacks by destroyers. There was no moon and the warships' lights. were all_ extinguished. The' feet was proceeding full speed ahead through the inky blackness when the destroyer flotilla launched its "The destroyers Warabi apparently Were attempt ing to cut in across the bows of the oncoming cruisers, which were not able to change their course in time to avoid a collision.
The search for the missing men continues bat little hope is held out for their recovery.—Reuter,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.