TRAGEDY ON DIOMEDE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 185, 30 March 1932, Page 5

TRAGEDY ON DIOMEDE

(Pres's. Assn.-

loss of seamAn commander and two others have narrow escape man seen in water

-By Telegraoh-

-Copyrlght).

WELLINGTON, Tuesday, Accdrdihg to fuftlief partifcular's which are to hand regarding the lhcident on the H.M.S. Diomede, when Able-Seaman Ribbins was washed overboard by a heavy sea and -lost, dfiring the Wafrship's' .%ylag*e fyom Sydriey, Commander Crufcjileyi Y-C.j ahd two other seamen jkhd 'a hhrrow eScahe frojn. sliaririg Abre-Seaman Riiibiiis' fate. Lehving Sydney at 4.3& p.m. last Tuesday, the Diomede encountered •heavy weather and a heavy swbll in the evening, and about i.30 a.m., it was decided to furl the owning' on the quarter deck. The ship Was slowed down and put head fo ihe Wihd, every precaution being taken to see 'that it was safe to go oh to thd qfiar-ter-deck. 1 1 The work was practically finishbd when a particularly big sea came from the head of the fehip, hef hows being out of the water and her Stern submerg.ed. Comlh'ahder Crtitchley and the fhree seamen on the qhatter-deck were completely immersed in the rush of . w.atef;. When thb cruiser sho'ok herself fi'eb of the water ,only three men remained clihging to the deck fixtures. The Commander's cap was sebri floating in the water and Able-Sea-

man Ribbins was also seen, but as he was hot striigglirig or sWihiming, it is assumed that he was rendered finconsciohs when he Was Washed overboard. Four lifebuoys were iminediately heaved overboard, the ship stopped ahd went astern ahd a Searchlight swept the area, but no sign was seen of the missing man. It is eonsidei'ed that had Able-Sea-man Ribbins remained afloat he would have been seen. The search continued for about two hours, after which the shifc proceeded on her vdyagei The weather continued rough all night, but gradually improved as New Zealand was approached. On Wednesday a memorial service was helci and the ustial nhval tfibutes were accorded deceased.