"COFFIN SHIPS."

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1963, 21 January 1914, Page 7

"COFFIN SHIPS."

THE LOST SUBMARINE.

SEARCH FOR THE A 7.

CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE ALLEGED,

By Telejraph-Froas Aiuoclatton-Copyrlclit London, January I!). Tlio search for the iiubinnriiiu again failed.

Tlio Admiralty has ordered tliut tin , A" must l:o found.

Twelve torpedo bunts witli nine divers are sweeping over tlio si<:i-l)Oil, employing torpedo-iindiug liinvst-rs. Ten square inilus were covered on TOoutliiy. It is learcd in .some quarters that I lip quicksands in Wliit.saiiil Hay have swallowed the submarine.

Naval experts complain that tin: tender accompanying the submarine was not fitted with wireless, mid so wa.i unable to summon help immediately. They iilso complain of the absence, of lifting-ships similnr to those used by the German and French navies.

Tlio "Evening News," purport itif; to give an official's view, states that tlio A class submarines aro not dangerous, and that tlio men share this view. Owing to the depth of water it is impossible for any apparatus to raise the submarine. Within twenty-four hours, if tlio moil were asphyxiated, the submarine should have risen automatically; if embedded in the sands she bad sufficient power to release herself, 'l'hero was no delay in signalling. Berlin, January 10. Naval experts consider that tlio Admiralty's criminal negligence was responsible for the submarine disaster. Some newspapers describe (he A class of submarine as "eoflin ships." (Rec. January 21, 0.10 a.m.) London, January 20. Admiral Egerton, Naval Conimaiider-in-Chiuf at Plymouth, declares that (lie statement that the A" class of submarines is dangerous is unwarranted.