DESTROYER LOST

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20095, 15 November 1939, Page 7

DESTROYER LOST

ONE RATING DEAD SIX MEN MISSING FIFTEEN INJURED GERMAN MINE STRUCK (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Tress Assn.) (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 11 a.m. RUGBY, Nov. 14. The Secretary to the Admiralty regrets to announce the loss of one of His Majesty’s destroyers through striking a German mine.

The next of kin of all the personnel killed or missing have now been informed. The list of casualties includes three officers injured, one rating dead, six ratings missing, and 12 ratings injured.

Unofficial reports state that, about 70 survivors who were picked up by tugs and drifters were landed at a town yesterday afternoon.

It is stated that the tugs heard an explosion and rushed to the scene. One took the destroyer in tow, but the warship soon sank by the stern.

Fishermen Hear Explosion

Several of the survivors landed practically without clothes. All were covered with oil.

Two fishermen in a motor-boat were startled by the explosion and saw the destroyer sinking two miles away. They dashed to the rescue of men diving overboard from the decks.

A fisherman said that seamen were clinging to debris and spars in the oilcovered sea. ‘'Some were actually singing.” he added. “Many were exhausted when we pulled them in. Several refused assistance until we picked up weaker swimmers.

“We saved 00, including the captain and two officers, but had to watch some drown. We took the survivors to a tug.”

An engineer of a trawler which landed six survivors said he heard an explosion in the dark. As it grew lighter he saw the destroyer, a tug and several small boats. The trawler rescued six men, four of whom were on a raft. All were perishing with the cold.

Ambulances and private cars met the survivors at the shore. Some were sent to hospital.