DIVER’S FIGHT FOR LIFE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 914, 5 November 1910, Page 4

DIVER’S FIGHT FOR LIFE.

GRIM TRAGEDY BEEOW THE WATER.

A graphic story of the risks run by naval divers was told at the inquest at Spithead recently upon Able Seaman James Edward Matthevvson, of H.M.S. Vernon, who was drowned near the spot where the submarine A r sank eight years ago, with a loss of n lives. An obstruction, believed to be a wreck, was interfering with submarine mining operations. Matthewson was sent down to make the preliminary investigations. Though only in eleven fathoms (66ft.) of water, aoolt. of air tubing were necessary, on account of the strength of the tide, and to enable the diver to move about with freedom. Soon after he touched the bottom, Matthewson sent up the very unusual request for less air. This was complied with, but he asked for still less, and then for more. These strange signals alarmed those on board the naval vessel Redwing, from which he had descended, and no reply being received to an enquiry as to whether Matthewson was alright, an attempt was made to haul him in, but the pipe was found to be entangled. By manoeuvring the ship, the diver was got to the surface in a quarter of an hour, and cut out his diving dress. This was perfectly dry inside, but he was quite dead.

Petty Officer Fitzgerald told the Court that he thought Matthewson’s gear became entangled in the stump ot an old mast, and in endeavouring to get clear he fell into deep water. There he unwisely slipped his weights, and rising feet foremost in the water, he was suffocated through the supply ot air being intermittent. If he had waited perfectly quiet in deep water he could have been saved.

Although there was a spare diving dress on board there was only 50ft. of piping left, and a descent to Matthewson’s assistance was impossible. The Jury returned a verdict of death from misadventure, the coroner saying that deceased’s shipmates appeared to have done all that was possible under the circumstances.