The Singapore Sling, Vol 5: News From Our PBEM Naval 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 five turns, with much information concealed for the purposes of OPSEC - ref).

BATTLE AT RABAUL

News is just now arriving here of a sea battle near the German-held port of Rabaul on the New Guinea coast.   Details remain scarce but it appears that several ships of Admiral Patey's powerful Australia Squadron have intercepted a German naval force, possibly even that of Admiral Von Spee himself!   However, Neptune's sources with the Royal Navy have gotten tight-lipped, even after repeated rounds of pink gins at your humble scribe's impecunious expense.    We await further news with eager anticipation, and remain confident that our gallant sailors will have banished the Kaiser's pirates to the bottom of the sea.

PREPARATIONS IN AUSTRALIA

Doubtless related to the aforementioned battle near Rabaul, there is news via telegraph of an urgent request from the Australian authorities for hospital trains to be prepared and sent to the port of Cairns.  It is most likely that these trains will be sent to succour the survivors of Von Spee's squadron, as befits the most chivalrous instincts of our gallant imperial allies.   

Angels of Mercy.

A DISCOURAGING LIST OF MISSING VESSELS

Readers of Neptune's last column were surely cheered to learn that the Royal Navy had freed the crew of the British flagged SS Diplomat and captured their gaolers, a prize crew of the pirate vessel Emden.  We expect the Diplomat to return to Hong Kong shortly.   

However, it must be said that the list of merchant ships missing grows apace.   The Admiralty now admits that four more ships are missing:

Steamship Mersey Girl, British, carrying livestock bound for Singapore, last know position in the Bay of Bengal. 

Sailing ship Madeleine, British, carrying tea from Bombay bound for Capetown, overdue.  Last seen entering the Bay of Bengal.

Sailing ship Gullwing, British, carrying textiles bound for Canada, overdue at a port stop, last seen entering the Caroline Islands.  

Sailing ship Hakana Maru, Japanese, carrying grain from San Francisco, overdue in Japan, last seen in the Western Pacific.

The Madeleine in happier times.

Neptune's friends in the local maritime insurance business are not alarmed, but they privately tell that they are considering an increase in premiums.  Confidence is high that the Royal Navy and its gallant allies will rise to this challenge.

THE COLONIES ANSWER THE CALL

Men queuing to enlist: a familiar sight across Australia and New Zealand.

News from our Australian correspondent at the corner of the bar here in the Empire Lounge is that across the length and breadth of Australia, men are flocking to the colours.    The same is true in New Zealand.   Stories abound of frantic preparations to train and equip these brave lads, and to convey them to the Seat of War.   Reports from Sydney say that the harbour is full of requisitioned ocean liners, and that a mighty convoy will soon be ready to sail for [DESTINATON REDACTED].

Your humble correspondent Neptune welcomes all tips and information, especially when accompanied by a drink offer.  He can be found most days at the Empire Lounge, at his usual table for the 4pm Happy Hour.  Ask Fernando to point him out to you.