SUBMARINE DISASTER

Hokitika Guardian, 12 July 1929, Page 5

SUBMARINE DISASTER

ADMIRAL’S REPORT. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, July 10. . The commanding the .submarine, who proceeded from Pembroke to the position in which submarine “H 47” was sunk, has issued a preliminary report, which states:— “Both H 47 and Ll2 were cruising on the surface at 8.10 a.m. when a collision occurred. Orders had bpen given to dose the watertight doors and abandon the ship. From the evidence of the Commanding Officer and of the Rating who escaped from the control room, it cloes not appear that the doors could have been closed at the time.” - “I am convinced,” the Rear Admiral adds, “that there is no possibility of any of the crew of H 47 having remained alive for more than a very few minutes.” ‘ DIVING LENDS NO HOPE. “Submarine L 69 dived to-day to sound telegraphy, but she received no answering signals. Diver Bell, a very experienced deep-sea diver, has been taken off the battle cruiser “Renown” by. the destroyer “Torrid,” but the Bea is rough and unsuitable for diving operations. In ..any case, the : depth of 800 feet,,, at which H 47 lies, makes it doubtful if, a diver could reach it. A WONDERFUL ESCAPE. Petty Officer Hicks, who was saved from H 47, was shot off her by the force of the collision, and, as he sank, he grasped a stay , wire of Ll2. Although he was carried down for several. fathoms, he was still hanging on when 1/12 returned to the surface.” KING’S SYMPATHY. The King has sent an expression of his deep grief at the disaster to the Admiralty, and ho conveys his heart-felt-sympathy to. the. relatives of the 24 dead. •,

.’■'■'-SANK LIKE A STONE. . WHILE SPEEDING TO REGAIN HER PLACE. . LONDON, July 10. The Daily Telegraph says that It is learned that H 47 developed engine trouble during the return journey from Lamlash, and she fell behind the leading section of the H flotilla. She was approaching the Pembrokeshire cofist. .before .the trouble was remedied. She then proceeded at full speed to regain her place. The collision occurred when. H 47 was passing the flotilla of L submarines. H 47 was ripped right along her side, and she sank like a stone, owing to the sudden inrush of water.

SALVAGE OPERATIONS "abandoned. LONDON, July 12. Salvage operations on the submarine havo been abandoned. OFFICIAL REPORT. ABANDONMENT OF SALVAGE (British Official Wireless.) (Received this day at 11 a.m.) RUGBY, July 11. The ,Secretary of the Admiralty announces that after full consideration of the circumstances attending location and salving of the submarine H 47, it has been decided to abandon all further operations. The following facts have guided the Lords of the Admiralty in reaching this decision“ The certainty that all those who are missing perished almost immediately. The vessel sank to a grent depth of water, and the risk from tides and weather in the locality where she was sunk would render the salvage of the vessel, e\en if an ultimate possibility, a long and anxious task, involving the divers and others engaged on the work in a great and continual danger. Even if D 47 were salved, the damage sustained from pressure and flooding would render her unfit for further service and the salvage operations were of such difficulty that they would not be justified. At sunset this evening H.M.S. Rodney, flying the flag of the Rear-Ad-miral commanding the submarines, and attended by an escort of destroyers and other craft on the spot, paid the Navy’s last respects to those who lost their lives on H 47.