A SUBMARINE DISASTER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2244, 16 July 1908, Page 3

A SUBMARINE DISASTER.

CREW OVERPOWERED BY FUMES. BRAVERY oFTHE LIKUTENANTS. .. HEROIC ATTEMPTS TO STOP THE ENGINES. United Press Association. Copyright i(.R6coLvwl July 15, 10,30 p.m.) LONDON. July 15. Seven submarines were proceeding from Portland to Dover, and when off Folkestone the parent ship Aelous, accompanying the flotilla, noticed a submarine falling behind. Assistance was sent, and it was discovered that there had been an escape of gasoline. I Six of tho crew were rescued unconscious, but live hove siuco recovered consciousness. It is stated that Lieutenant Warren, in command, and Lieutenant Groves, second in command, were both in tho conning-tower, and, noticing the fumes, signalled to those below,. No answer was received, and the lieutenants, descending, found the engines going full speed. The fumes were overpowering, and the crow ivero lying around apparently lifeless. ©attempts to outer the mMWw. I The fumes poured up tho lialchwa-yj' in. volumes. A potty-officer, summoned from the tower, in trying to roach tho engines fell unconscious. Then tho lieutenants enveloped their faces in wet clothes and descended to the engine-room. They were rendered unconscious, but Lieutenant Groves managed to reach the engines and turned off the supply of petrol, thus stopping tho engines. Tho rescuers found Lieutenant Groves stretched across the engines. One of the men is still in a critical state.

The accident was due to a spring connected with a valve breaking.