M2 LOCATED

Hokitika Guardian, 28 January 1932, Page 5

M2 LOCATED

FEARS HELD FOR CREW. DIVERS HASTEN TO SCENE. (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.; ) LONDON, January 2 't. The Admiralty announced at 4 p.m. : An' object, presumed to be the submarine “.m2,” has been located three "hit’s west 0 f Portland Bill. It is in {seventeen I a thorns of water, oil a sandy bottom. Salvage craft and clivers have been sent from Portsmouth with the utmost despatch. Lifting lighters and the best divers of the Navy are being rushed t 0 West Bay. wheie a circle of flickering lights, two and a half miles, off CliesiJ Beacon, indicates where the submarine “id,.2” is lying. I lie sea- there is moderate.

There are warships grouped in a wide circle around the “AL2” scene. Ihe destroyer “Sabre,” with a speci-ally-trained deep-sea diver, is hurrying to the scene. The Admiralty salvage ships, with special lifting apparatus, are also rushing there t 0 get the operations started in the daylight.

The divers will first attempt to disco voi whether anybody’ is alive by tapping the hull, and listening for a reply.

AN OMINOUS FACT. LOSS Of SISTER SHIP, LONDON, January 26. Regarding the isinking of submarine “M.2” the “Daily Telegraph’s” naval expert says: It is an ominous fact that “M.2” vanished under circumstances recalling the loss of “M.l” on November 13th., 1925. It is surmised that the “M.l” got out of control during a dive, and that she was crushed by the pressure of the water after having passed below 'the unit of safe submergence. Tbe salving of a wrecked submarine is a long and tedious process.

The correspondent adds: To indicate that there would be any possibility of raising the boat in time to save the men aboard would be encouraging false hopes.

MEN CAN LIVE FOR 80 HOURS. LONDON, January 27. One theory of the “M.2,” sinking is that the submarine dived with an open hatch, that an inrush of water prevented the inmates from reaching the diver’s apparatus. The submarine “M.2” is provided with valves, enabling the divers to pump fresh air into any of the compartments.

It is stated to be possible that the men would live for eighty hours if there were no extensive leakage. In naval circles, at Portsmouth, however, the worst fears are entertained.

I Though it is not confirmed by the [ Admiralty, the “Standard’s” special | Weymouth correspondent says: Two destroyers have located the submarine i to which salvage vessels are hurrying. I The correspondent asserts that the submarine has not answered the sigI nails. The Admiralty announced a* 1.30 this afternoon that there was no communication with the submarine, and great anxiety is therefore being felt for the safety of the crew.

I The Admiralty insists that the j M.2 has not been found, but the I “Standard” declares that the mother ship is .adamant, having wirelessed | the Portland dockyard: “Have definitely located -M.2 Am surrounding position and will send divers down."

1 Six officers and fifty men are aboard, including Able Seamen Thomas and i Morirs, survivors of the Posiedon disaster.

MAY BE AVAR TIME WRECK

(Received this day at 10.15 a.m.) LONDON, January 27. M ine,sweepers continued the search throughout the night, and, as it- is known that a wartime wreck is in the vicinity, it is now doubted whether

the object found overnight is the M.2,

Many ships assembled this morning but the use of instruments, capable of hearing urfler-water signals over a, wide area, is fruitless a.s the weather is threatening and the sea rising.