DISMISSED HIS SHIP

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21411, 1 March 1935, Page 13

DISMISSED HIS SHIP

+ COMMANDER OF RENOWN SENTENCED COLLISION WITH H.M.S. HOOD (BBITISH OFFICIAL WHKLXS3.) (Received February 28, 5.5 p.m.) RUGBY, February 27. The second of the three courtsmartial arising out of the collision between the battle-cruisers Hood and Renown off the coast of Spain took place at Portsmouth to-day, when Captain Henrj- R. Sawbridge, 0.8. E., was charged with negligently and by default hazarding the Renown, of which he was commanding officer. He was found guilty and sentenced to be dismissed his ship. Captain Sawbridge will, as the result of the sentence, be placed on half pay immediately. An appeal cannot be allowed, as the Lords of the Admiralty alone are empowered to alter the decision.

Captain Sawbridge gave evidence that he was satisfied the manoeuvre was being executed as he understood the original instructions. He expected the Hood to turn when she was 1800 yards distant. Although the Hood had ample room, he took the precaution of turning the Renown out. The Hood could have avoided the collision, but she stood on her course, whereupon he went astern. The ships touched as the Renown was gathering sternway. Rear-Admiral S. R. Bailey, commanding the Battle-cruiser Squadron, who was acquitted by a courtmartial yesterday, said in evidence that he had never proposed to the Renown's captain that the Hood should turn in order to facilitate the Renown's movements. He would not expect a flagship guiding a mixed force to alter her course. The court deliberated for 90 minutes, after which the public, when they were readmitted, saw Captain Sawbridge's sword lying upon the table, its point significantly toward his place, indicating that he had been found guilty. The court held thai. Captain Sawbridge had hazarded his ship by continuing on his course at 12 knots until risk of '.ollision was present, and that he subsequently failed to not effectively to prevent the collision. Captain Sawbridge was a member of Earl Jellicoe's staff in H.M.S. New Zealand on her Dominion cruise in 1919. He then held the rank of commander.