"THE OLD ARK"

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 21, 25 February 1942, Page 6

"THE OLD ARK"

SURVIVORS' STORIES

HIT BY 10,000-TO-C)NE TORPEDO The sinking of the aircraft-cai - - ricr Ark Royal was what a naval officer described as a 10,000-to-one chance. Even after she received what was to prove her death blow, few aboard the "Old Ark"—as the sailors called the famous warship—could believe it was a torpedoi hit. Then a naval officer remarked that the torpedo aimer was the 1 kind of man who would have won the Calcutta Sweep. Nearly all the crew was lined up on the deck within five minutes. A few aircraft, beginning to slide as Ark Royal took a list, were speedily fastened with ropes. Over the flight deck black smoke began to appear. Through the haze came newly-landed pilots in flying kit to join the crew lining up. "The Old Lad^y" Meanwhile ratings still came pouring up on deck—some of them in overalls and some half-naked. With a crew of 1600 men it takes time to assemble. ? But the "Old Ark" kept forward at fair speed. It was as though she was battling foir life and knew it. Talk among officers and men was sailor-like —sentimental if you like. It found them a "Band of Brothers," to use Nelson's language. . "So the old lady's hit," said a rating to an officer. Response was a friendly pat on the shoulder. "Never had to swim like this before." laughed another rating. "Perfect torpedo weather," a Marine officer remarked, looking at the calm sea, towards an approaching destroyer. In Mid-Atlantic winter might have made rescue impossible-

Magnificent The skint of the Ark's deck made it almost impossible to move "without falling. It seemed impossible that slic-should net slide belcw the waves. Destroyers circling the ship Avere dropping" depth charges as the order was given: "Prepare to abandon ship." The Ark began to case in speed. Now she was almost drifting while a destroyer nosed her way to the side. The crew was magnificent. Down the men went, poking and laughing —rmost of them quite sure that the ship with the charmed life would live to harass the Axis yet again. Almost last down the ropes came a few senior officers dejected because they had been ordered off ship. What had to be done could be done "by others. It had nc.w become a technicians' job—Captain Maundi, engineers, and a strong body of ratings stayed aboard to fight the last battle. Meanwhile the destroj r er made way towards Gib., reaching it at midnight, crews being shared out among all the ships in harbour. Aboard the Ark Royal the hc.urslong battle to save the carrier had been fought—and lost. It was at 4.30 a.m. yesterday, nearly 12 hours after she was hit that Captain Maundi gave the sad order "Abandon Ship." • At (5.30 the ship that had been "sunk" so many times by Goebbels in the past two years plunged to her grave. Revenge Vow \ There were tears oil many wea-ther-beaten cheeks this morning. The "Old Ark'' had some of Nelson's ■'Victory'"' in her. She was mere than a ship, sin- was a tradition. Kve ry rating aboard knew Uiat every eity. every town and every village throughout the Empire had n soft eeirner in her heart for their ship. "Xever mind—we'll have our reVMigi'."' This remark by a rating is '-(■ ing erhoed throughout the Fleet. "Vm- shall one day lay the kee! <;i' •mo'lici- Ark Royal to sustain Ihe •'-.atHe honour lie:- pn-deeesors haee wen." Tins prophecy was- made by L':.Cemdr. Fletcher.- Parliamentary Pri";»le S'. crotary to I lie First Lord of the Admiralty,

"There need be no regrets save for the dead. A more gallant ship has never flown the White Ensign. In one audacious operation after another she paid the country which built her a great dividend. Her name livetli for evermore."