FORMIDABLE’S SIGNAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1366, 25 February 1915, Page 4

FORMIDABLE’S SIGNAL.

“SUBMARINES ABOUT.”

THE CAPTAIN’S HEROISM

Nowhere in the wotld’s records of heroism can there be found a story of greater glory than that which was told in the House of Lords by Earl Crewe, respecting circumstances attending tbe loss of the battleship Formidable. There were other warships in the vicinity when the explosions occurred, and the captain cf tbe Formidable might easily have disked them for help. Doubtless tbe captain recalled ■.vl «.L happened on September 22, when the navy lost at one blow tbe Aboukir. the Cressy and tbe Hogue. The Aboukir was torpedoed, and the olheis, which rushed to save tbe drowning sailors met tbe Aboukii’s fate. The captain, officers and crew of the Formidable acted the part of heroes. Since they must go down they would, at any rate, save others from sharing their doom. Accordingly tbe Formidable signalled to the nearest ship not to “siand by” but to “keep off.” Describing the incident, Lord Crewe said ; Tbe definite opinion of the Admiralty was that the Formidable was sunk by two torpedoes fired from a submarine. After the ship had been struck the captain signalled to another ship in the neighbourhood not to stand by to help, but to keep off, because of the danger from tbe submarine. (Cheeis). That was a very gallant act, and worthy of the highest traditions of the British Navy. He was sure it would be a consolation to those whose relatives were lost on the ship to know that they went down like heroes, and that their last thought was for their comrades in the fleet. A tribute was also due to the skill and gallantry of the fishermen who assisted in the rescue of some of the survivors.