GRIM TRAGEDY OF SEA

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 428, 9 August 1928, Page 9

GRIM TRAGEDY OF SEA

SUNKEN SUBMARINE ALL OF THE CREW DEAD THIRTY-ONE PERISH (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) (United Service) ROME, Wednesday. The two officers and 29 men who were on board the sunken Italian coastal submarine Fl 4 were all found dead when the vesesl was raised last night. They had been

asphyxiated by poisonous gases. Throughout the night the rescuers stuck grimly to their task, struggling to maintain a foothold on the windlashed sea-swept pontoons. Slowly they drew the submarine to the surface.

Once the submarine heavily canted. It is believed this caused acid to flow from the accumulators, and commence to form deadly chloride gas, for shortly afterwards the signals from the imprisoned men ceased. Finally the Fl 4 was brought to the surface within 34 hours of the collision. The last moments of the imprisoned crew were tragic. A message came from within the submarine saying: “We are waiting calmly to be rescued.” DRAMATIC MESSAGE Then came the cheerful message: “We are confident you will be no longer than you can help.” The wireless operator inside the sunken hull continued his messages until he said: “Twenty-two of our men are still alive, and perhaps ” This last message was dramatically broken off just as the work of raising the submarine had begun. No doubt, the steep slant of the craft as it was being hauled to the surface upset the storage battery, the fumes from which overcame the men.

The crew normally consisted of two > officers and 19 men, but 10 apprentice mechanics from the Aiola Naval Train - frig College were on board for the manoeuvres. This swelled the deathroll.