BRITISH NAVALS

Hokitika Guardian, 9 July 1931, Page 3

BRITISH NAVALS

FROM SUNKEN SUBMARINE

HOW THEY ESCAPED.

(British Official Wireiess.)

RUGBY,' July 7

With relernco to tins collision disaster of tlie British submarine Puseiuoa near Wei-hai-wei, China, a remarkable story, of the behaviour of the members of the crew who were cut otf in the forepart of. the ship most of whom were eventually saved, was t.ffd by tit. lion Air Alexander (First Lords of the AuVmralty), in the House of C itiiWmis. He said that, according 't!o 'the report received from the Coimnander-in-Cliief, when the Collision occur led, and an order to close the watertight doors was given, Willis, the torpedo gunner’s mate, took charge of those in the forepart, calling on them to close the door of the compartment with themselves inside, as this might mean saving the ship. Whilst this work was in progress, the ship lurched to starboard, and sank. Willis ordered his companions to put in the escape apparatus. He explained that lie> was going to flood the compartment in order To equalise the pressure 'in it with that outside, and he told off each man to his station. The imprisoned men were working in darkness, except for an occasional light from an electric torch. While the compartment was slowly filling, Willis kept his companions in good heart and another men, Nagle, instruct ed a Chinese hoy in . the use of the apparatus, which saved his life. After two hours, the hatch was opened sufficiently for two men to-shoot up, but the pressure re-closed the hatch. Oi the two men, Lovock and Holt, who had escaped, tiie former; came to the surface unconscious, and lie died. After a further hour, by which time the men were nearly up to their necks in water a second effort was made. The hatch was opened, and four more men came to the surface. They were Willis, Clark, Nagle, and Ah Dai, all of whom were picked up by boats. It was abundanty clear, the rcbnrt says, that the courage and fortitude c f these men who word practically m darkness, in slowly flooding the compartment and facing a situation that was mere than desperate Was in accordance with the very highest traditions of the British Navy. The coolness, eo"fidenee, ability and power of command shown by Willis, which no doubt was principally responsible for saving so many lives, deserved .the very highest masse.

Mr Alexander also stated that Willis “n : d prayers for himself and his comnaiops. when the li<ff.>t failed, and heforn the cnninnrtnmnt. was flooded. Mr Alexand'>r said U>p question of ‘••"'table recrxndtion of Wj||j s amd the otKerc was under* eonsidp’rntion.f Gen°ral cheers').