LUCIA TROUBLE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 21 January 1931, Page 5

LUCIA TROUBLE

ORDERS DISOBEYED OBJECTION TO SUNDAY WORK COURT-MARTIAL PROCEEDINGS (United Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph—Copyright) (Received 21st- January, 9.35 a.m.) LONDON, 20th January. The Lucia’s first court-martial resulted in Able Seaman 11. T. Gratton being sentenced to three months’ hard labour and being dismissed from the service. Able Seamen Towe, Lock, and Wilsonwill be court-martialed later. Twentysix others are confined to barracks for decision after promulgation of other sentences. The traditional one gun salute preceded to-day’s inquiry, at which Captain Arthur Dowding presided at the library at the naval barracks at Devonport. Mr Mayburn Pearce, solicitor forGratton, pointed out- that the reverberations of the case would spread not only : throughout Britain but throughout the Empire. He did not call evidence for - the defence and did not place Gratton in the witness box. It was alleged against Gratton (who was eventually found guilty of disobeying Lieutenant-Commander J. W. Hoskyn’s order to fall in for exercise and of disobeying Master at Anns Kingston's command to fall in on the quarterdeck) that he and thirty companions sat silent when Master at Arms Kingston went below and reiterated the order. Prior to that both watches had been piped for exercise to clean the ship. These eventsoccurred on Sunday, 4th January. Petty . officers and leading seamen obeyed, but only one able seaman appeared, the remainder staying below with the mess. The deck hatch was secured from underneath, and Master at Arms Hingston called down to Able Seaman Brimicombe v who was there unwillingly, to unfasten the hatch and fall in on deck. Brimicombe did this. Lieutenant-Commander Hoskyns, replying to Mr Pearce’s reminder that' Sunday work aboard was only contenanced in case of necessity, said permission for it had been granted because it was urgent to clean the ship preparatory to painting on Monday prior to de- - parture for Lisbon. He denied curtailing the men’s shore leave and doing everything possible to aggravate them. The Lucia had been a happy ship, but not so happy during the past few months. .