SUBMARINE DISASTER

Hokitika Guardian, 15 October 1928, Page 5

SUBMARINE DISASTER

FATE OF FRENCH VESSEL. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright'. LONDON, Oct. 12. The missing French submarine "Ondino” is now definitely believed to have been lost off Oporto over a week ago, having been struck by a'Greek ship.

The master of a French steamer arriving at Rouen reports that he intercepted this morning, at 4.10, a wireless message from a foreign steamer saying that she had struck “a fishing; boat or floating wreck.” The position given by the Captain coincides with that <ff the submarine Outline. Therefore there is no doubt that she has sunk with all hands in a depth between 4,500 and 6000 feet.

GREEK CAPTAIN CRITICISED. PARTS, Oct. 13. Apart from the grief at the loss of the submarine Outline, the crew of which now no doubt aer dead, there is a feeling of soreness regarding the circumstances of the sinking. The Minister nf Marine received news from the French Consul at Rotterdam, who telegraphed that the master of the Greek steamer “Ekaterina” on arrival there reported colliding with an object off the coast of Portgual between Vigo and Oporto at 11 o’clock in the evening of October 3rd. The master said that he was unable in the darkness to ascertain the nationality' of the vessel struck. He cruised backwards and forwards for two hours, but there was no trace either of survivors or of wreckage. The sea wa s rough. French officials say that* the usual course for the Greek steamer would have been to have awaited daylight and continue the search. They also think that the master of the Greek vessel should .have gone to Vigo, instead of waiting eight days until liis arrival at Rotterdam.