The Singapore Sling Volume 2: News From Our PBEM Campaign

 Our naval defence correspondent "Neptune"offers another column from his vantage point at the Empire Lounge, Raffles Hotel (reflecting state of play in our PBEM campaign after two turns, with much information concealed for the purposes of OPSEC - ref).

TSINGTAO A FORTIFIED CAMP

Tsingtao in more pleasant times.

Neptune remembers Tsingtao as having a very pleasant climate, a curious German style rice beer, and some rather shocking Teutonic architecture.  However, he has just spoken to several English families on the last steamer out  before the declaration of hostilities, and they describe that the town and port now resemble an armed camp.   Apparently there has been an influx of young German men from the Fatherland, and much activity in the harbour, which was sealed off by armed naval guards.   The English report that they were taken to their ship at night, so were unable to see much.   We hope that Admiral Jerram will find and destroy what now appears to be a nest of Hun raiders.

OUTRAGE IN THE CAROLINES

Sources in the Telegraph Exchange inform Neptune that an urgent message was overhead from the French colony Tout Compris in the Caroline Islands.   The message, which was incomplete, reported that the harbour was under attack by an enemy warship.  While we are tempted to explain this message by reference to the excitable temperaments of our Gallic friends, it is equally possible that some Hun raiders put to sea before the commencement of hostilities.    Such a possibility is concerning but our faith in the Royal Navy abounds.

The French armoured cruiser Dupleix.

Neptune wonders if finding the guilty party will be the task of the Dupleix.  This fine armoured cruiser is the first French warship to be assigned to the Pacific, and we welcome her contribution.

 SS MATHERAN MISSING

SS Matheran in happier times.

The mercantile community is expressing concerns that a fixture of these coasts, the SS Matheran, is overdue.  Her last reported position was in the Caroline Sea, and there are fears that she may have encountered the same Huns who attacked Tout Compris.  

Neptune welcomes all tips and information, as well as drink offers.  He can be found most days at the Empire Lounge, at his usual table for the 4pm Happy Hour.