SUBMARINE DISASTER

Hokitika Guardian, 24 December 1927, Page 3

SUBMARINE DISASTER

(Australian A N.Z. Cable Association. NEW YORK, Dec. 23. A United Press message states that salvage operations were abandoned last night after the resellers had definitely determined that all aboard the S-l were dead. It is reported that the submarine will he allowed to remain submerged until the Spring. The present weather conditions are responsible lor this decision. 'I he ollieial statement said that the Wivck might be raised before the Spring, if they were willing to kill s: Vera I divers. An official explanation of the futile attempt to rescue, says: “ I be weather beat us.”

Protests have continued from several quarters-, particularly aboard the submarines, and the Navy Department yesterday issued a long expert report indicating the impracticability of many suggested safety devices; stressing the fact that an effort was being centred on the aim to make submarines more dependable ns the best safety device. NEW YORK, Dec. 22.

The volume of criticism in connection with the 5.4 tragedy is making itself felt in Naval circles, and official quarters generally. I lie rank anil file of the people, not to mention the families of the officers and men of the dead crew, cannot understand why normal precautions against collision were not taken, in the absence ol safety devices. and the dilatoriness of the elforts lit rescue, ft- is believed that the incident will react to the injury of the service generally and following on the heels of the introduction of the Naval programme, it is not difficult to comprehend the growing alarm among officii,B. who had hoped to get the programme at least in a large part without any such complication as a major ship disaster accompanied hv vigorous and persistent questions, challenging the efficiency of the entire service.