SKILL OF U-BOAT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20071, 18 October 1939, Page 5

SKILL OF U-BOAT

ROYAL OAK’S FATE SUNK IN SCAPA FLOW DEFENCES PENETRATED STATEMENT IN COMMONS (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 11 a.m. RUGBY. Oct. 17. The First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr. Winston Churchill, speaking in the House of Commons, said: “H.M.S. Royal Oak \va,s sunk while at anchor by a U-boat in Scapa Flow at about 1.150 a.m. on Saturday.

“It is still a matter for conjecture as to how the U-boat penetrated the harbour’s defences. When we consider that during the whole course of the last war this anchorage was found to be immune from such

attacks on account of the Obstacles imposed by the currents and net barrages, this entry by a U-boat must be considered a remarkable exploit of professional skill and daring. "A board of inquiry is now sitting at Scapa Flow. Probably the U-boat fired a salvo of torpedoes at the Royal Oak, of which only one hit. the bow. Twenty minutes later the Üboat fired three or four torpedoes, and these, striking in quick succession, caused the ship to capsize and sink.” Ample Margin Retained After informing the House with deep regret that upwards of 800 officers and men had been lost, Mr. Churchill said that the Admiralty had immediately announced the loss of this fine ship, and added: “Serious as this loss is, it does not affect the margin of security in heavy vessels, which remains ample.” Mr. Church ill disclosed that in the six weeks since the war began, it is estimated that 18 U-boats had been sunk and five seriously damaged and possibly sunk, and several damaged. During' the last week, seven U-boats had been sunk. Nothing like this rate of destruction had been attained in the last war, and these figures probably were an. understatement. It is believed that out of about 60 U-boats ready for action at the beginning of the war, about one-third already had been sunk or seriously damaged, and of the largest and latest ocean-going type at least one-fifth. On the other hand, of the British mercantile marine of 2,100.000 tons, the total loss by U-boat, mines, Or accidents was 174,000 tons. Replying to a question concerning German claims that they are in command of the North Sea. Mr. Churchill said: “There is most effective control of all contraband and all commerce entering Germany. The North Sea is controlled effectually so that Germany can derive no advantage whatever from ocean-going commerce."