SUBMARINE PERILS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 251, 16 July 1908, Page 7

SUBMARINE PERILS.

FIGHTING THE FUMES. STRUCCLE TO REACH THE ENGINES. CREW DISABLED. TERRIFYING SITUATION: HEROISM REWARDED. (BY TEIjEORAPH—PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT.) , (Roe. July 15, 9.30 p.m.) London, July 15. While submarines, which were proceeding from Portland to Dover, were off Folkestone, tho parent ship Aeolus (second-class cruiser), which was accompanying them, noticed submarine A 9 falling behind. Assistance was sent, and it was discovered that thero had ben an escape of gasoline. Six of tho crew were rescued in an unconscious state. Five have recovered consciousness. 1 . It is stated that Lieutenant Warren, in command, and Lieutenant Groves, second in oommand, were both in the conning-tower of submarine A 9. : Noticing that fumes were entering tho conning-tower, they signalled to thoso below, and received no answer. Tlje lieutenants, tin descending, found tho engines going at full spfeed, and the engineroom filled with overpowering fumes., Tho crew were lying about apparently lifeless. The lieutenants resolved to try to stop the engines. Thoy mado several attempts to enter the hull, but failed. The fumes poured up tho hatchway in volumes, and a petty officer, whom tho lieutenants summoned from the conning-tower, in trying to reach tho ongines; fell unconscious. Then Lieutenants Warren and Uroves enveloped their faces in wet cloths, and descended again. They wero rendered unconscious, but not before Lieutenant ■ Groves had reached the ongines and had turned offi tho supply of petrol, thus stopping tho engines. i The rescuers found him stretched across the engines, on. which ho had fallon after completing his dangerous, mission. One. of the mon is still in a critical state. The accident was duo to a spring connected with a valve failing to act.