SUBMARINE DISASTER

Hokitika Guardian, 11 July 1929, Page 5

SUBMARINE DISASTER

THE DEATH ROLL. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). LONDON, July 9. The official list reveals that H. 47 dead number 22 and the casualties arc further augmented by the death of able-seaman Simpson, while leadingsignalman Bull, also belonging to L. 12 is missing. It is understood the submarines collided while various flotillas participated in a combined exercise off the coast of Ireland, which finished on July (sth., aind were/ returning to Portsmouth and Portland. Apparently H. 47 sank immediately, and must have filled instantly. The commander and telegraphist state they owe their lives to the fact that they were the only men on deck when she was rammed while running on the surface, with the coning tower open. All naval festivities are cancelled and salvage operations have begun.

SALVAGE OPERATIONS. SIXTEEN WARSHIPS ON SCENE. . LONDON, July 10. The revised list shows there were twenty-four casualties in the submarine disaster, but details of the disaster are not yet available. It is understood both of the vessels were on the surface returning to port after the manoeuvres, the HA? being used as a training ship. The accident happened shortly after nine o’clock in the morning, The salvage work is in charge of Rear-Admiral H. F. Grace, son of the famous cricketer, Dr W. G. Grace. The diving operations are being conducted from H.M..S. Rodney, and new deep water diving apparatus is being tried out. There are now sixteen naval vessels and two flying boats on the scene. GLOOM AT NAVAL TOWNS. ' . ' LONDON, July 9. Later reports state the submarine H 47 was cruising at periscope depth when she was rammed.‘by, the Ll2. This ripped a hole in the hull, which allowed two of her company miraculously to escape. The submarine Ll2 was damaged in the neighbourhood of the battery tanks' which are eighty feet from the bows. At the news, gloom spread over the naval towns of Devonport, Portsmouth and Chatham, where many of the bereaved families reside Groups of men and women soon gathered at the Naval Barrack, discussing the calamity. .

ADMIRALTY STATEMENT. ■ (Received this day at 11 a.m.) LONDON, July 10. Professor Leonard Hill, assisting in the rescue work of the H. 47, dived nearby the sunken submarine and tried to communicate by using a bell,, buf there were no answering signals. tfhe Admiralty statement indicates the L. 12 also had a most narrow escape. The two submarines were cruising on the surface when L. 12 struck H. 47 on the port side at right angles, penetrating two feet. H. 47 sank in a few seconds and L. 12 was carried down forty feet at an angle of fifty degrees, bow down. The captain, officers and men on deck, were thrown into the water. A considerable amount of water entered.the submarine before the hatches were closed and she was able to rise to the surface.

BAD WEATHER HINDERS SEARQH (Received this day at 12.25. p.m.) \ LONDON, July 10. Bad weather to-day hindered the search for the sunken submarine which is realised as the grave of twenty-two gallant men. A,survivor of the L. 12 dramatically pictures the scene after the collision. He said: “There was a terrific bang and we all were flung down. As the L. 12 dived at an impossible angle the fumes began to rise from the acid tanks, but every man sprang to his feet and carried out the Commander’s orders. There was no panic. It seemed years to me, but it could have only been seconds before the Commander by superb seamanship brought L. 12 to the surface.” Experts say when the L. 47 sank the acid tanks would upset instantaneously killing the crew.