RESCUE OF CREW CONSIDERED NOW ALMOST HOPELESS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 135, 30 January 1932, Page 5

RESCUE OF CREW CONSIDERED NOW ALMOST HOPELESS

(Press. Assn.

LOCATION NOT ESTABLISHED

, — By Telegraph — Copyright).

LONDON, Thursday. The Rear-Admiral commanding the search for the missing suhmarine M2 reports at 6.40 a.m.: "The possibility of saving lives is almost hopeless. We have temporarily abandoned the operations on the obstruction discovered on January 26. The sweep is continually slipping, preventing the divers reaching it. "The diver has not yet reached the other obstruction found yesterday. He may be successful at the next tide. A further search to-day revealed an obstruction six : miles off Portland Bill. Divers have heen to the bottom nearby, and'- thus far have not reached tHe obstruction. The operations contjnue." Following the seaplanes reporting a quaht'ity of dil, th'e destroyer Sabre dropped anchor in the' neighbourhpod, resulting Ih further 'oil c6Ming"t6'the surface, suggesting that' "the o'dcUpants of the -suhmarine, hearing the anchor, might have released the oil to indicate their whereabouts, although it is realised that the anchor might have penetrated the other obstacle. The divers fruitlessly made an effort to reach the obstruction. An Admiralty communique in connection with the reported lights and explosions contrasts the difference of eight hours between the time there of and the Tynesider's report. The comfnunique adds that the light and explosion were both unaccountable.