HOPE ABANDONED

Hokitika Guardian, 29 January 1932, Page 5

HOPE ABANDONED

FOR SAFETY OF M2 CREW. VESSEL NOT YET LOCATED. (United Press Association. — By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (Received this day at 9.25 a rn) LONDON, .Jan. 28. The search lias been shitted to the spot where Captain Howard saw the submarine disappear, but hopes arenow abandoned as the oxygen must now be exhausted. Diving was continued all night lung but the underoiireiit prevent. <1 the reaching of the located obstacle. AIRCRAFT AID SEARCH. EXTRA DIVERS OPERATINGI (Britishl Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Jan. 27. Though hope has not entirely been abandoned, the gravest fears are entertained regarding the fate of the 56 1 officers and men of Submarine “M2.” Numerous naval and air craft have been continuously searching the area, but, so far, the vessel lias not been definitely located, although several uncharted ''obstructions, possibly old wrecks, have been encountered. The “M2” was equipped with an aeroplane, and two members of the Air Force are among those mising. A mosage from Portland states that the search is being continued for tho sunken submarine, “M2,” by H.M.S. Tidworth, with deep sea diving appliances and extra divers operating. It js stated that, unless the oxygen reservoirs on the submarine are out of action it is possible that- the crew could survive for two or three days. VESSEL SEEN TO DIVE. LONDON, Jan 28. The British United Press representative at Gravelines, in France, reports having interviewed Captain Howard, the master of a Tyneside steamer, who telephoning the Admiralty, says that he saw the Submarine Mark 2. Some minutes later he saw the submarine with one end down at an angle of forty-five degres. It then dived into the sea eight miles north-west by north of Portland Bill, two and a-lialf miles from tbe shore. He adds: “We were the only boat near it.” RESCUE ALMOST VANISHED. REPORT OF.EXPLOSION. (Received this day at 11.15 a.m.) LONDON, January 28. After a fruitless all night search, the prospect of finding M2 in time to rescue the crew alive lias practically vanished. The search to-day moved to a point at which the Tynesider’s captain saw a submarine submerginb on Tuesday. The chances of ever locating M2, are becoming less, wyith increasing seas, strong currents and thick mist hampering the divers and airmen. The skipper of tho schooner Crown of Denmark informed the Admiralty that he saw* at 1.40 on Tuesday in Lyme Bay, sixteen miles southeast of I.yme Regis, a sudden bright light which reappeared brighter and disappeared. 'There were two loud explosions, ten minutes afterwards.