SIXTY-SIX DEATHS

Hokitika Guardian, 8 July 1932, Page 6

SIXTY-SIX DEATHS

WHEN FRENCH SUBMARINE ’ - „ SINKS. i v ONLY FIVE OF CHEW SAVED. (United Press Association —'By- Electric ■ Telegraph—Copyright.) (Received this day at 11.16 a.ra.) CHERBOURG, July 7: Sixty-six were drowned when the French submarine, Promothee, of 1379 tons, launched in 1930, sank suddenly in 150 feet of water while performing surface tests in the roadstead, seven miles north of Levi. -~ v: Five members of the crew, includingtwo officers, were flung into the sea and rescued. Boats hurried to the Scene of the disaster. The Promothee, in addition to the complement of, fifty-six, carried seven-teen-workmen and engineers. The Ministry of' Marine announces that the cause of the accident has not yet 1 been determined. The authorities have sent every available vessel to locate, the submarine, while an aeroplane is. assisting the operations which are. difficult owing to the strong current.

CAUSE UNKNOWN. , -PARIS, July 7. The sinking is reminiscent of M2. aboard included a Government engineer, two officials and seyen workmen Of Cherbourg dockyard, an engineer, and six workmen -belonging to the armament firm of Schneiders, who were attending the trials, after prolonged alterations. \/y ■ . .'l.' A naval authority expresses the opinion in the absence of other explanations, that the fact that five were thrown clear including the Commander, Lieut. D'u iMesnil, .indicated they were on the bridge of the vessel, which sank without warning, possibly owing to the tanks being flooded for an unknown -reason, trapping everyone be'low. total SAVED NOW SEVEN. CAPTAIN’S REPORT. '' ' J . ■ PARIS, July 7. . Later reports state that seven were rescued—Th e -Commander, -two midshipmen, two petty officers and two seamen. All were -good swimmers and kept afloat for over an hour when they were rescued by a fiihing smack; They were hurried, to Cherbourg, where Du Mesnil gave the--first news -of the catastrophe.

He -says he was inspecting the engines, with • the -experts, and heard suspicious noises .and cries coming from the deck. H e -rushed up and found the Promothee sinking beneath his feet. All the-hatches, were open and he ordered those below to escape, but within a few minutes the vessel disappeared. A search up to the present has been -fruxtlessi-'A--*> -4■ ir"bT w w *■