TRAGIC MISTAKE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 10 January 1931, Page 7

TRAGIC MISTAKE

MISTAKEN FOR U BOAT BY BRITISH MYSTERY SHIP (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, Bth January. llow the misreading of a submarine s title caused British gunners to kill nineteen of the crew of a British submarine and receive congratulations on their niarkmansliip, is disclosed for the first time in William Guy Carr’s book “By Guess and By God.” The vessels concerned were Submarine J 6, and an old topsail schooner which had been transformed at great expense into a Q boat, or mystery ship. While keenly watching for German II boats going down the channel near Biyth in tricky visibility J 6 hove in sight. Something hanging from its conning tower completed the vertical line of the J, converting it into a U, and the Q boat's commander who had many times been decorated for 'gallantly, shouted: “Break out the ensign and five!” Then as the ensign dropped it could not be identified owing to the absence of wind. The submarine’s also hung motionless. The first shot from the Q boat smashed the arm of a man standing at the conning tower who was about to fire a recognition signal from a rifle. It also killed an officer beside him. A second shot pierced the submarine’s • waterline and wrecked the control room. Then the Q boat’s four inch guns registered a direct hit. An officer of the submarine sprang on to the after hatch frantically waving a white cloth. The Q boat ceased fire, and the submarine entered a fog bank, and when it emerged its bows were in the air and the conning tower was awash. Men were observed struggling in the water in a newly-launched collapsible boat. Tlie Q boat crew went to their assistance, and were stunned to perceive “H.M. Submarines” on the survivors’ caps. Fifteen of the) submarine’s crew were rescued.

The court of inquiry exonerated the Q boat’s commander, and congratulated the gun crews on the accuracy of their fire. The survivors of the J 6 sprang to attention and saluted them as the Q boat crew filed out of court.