COMMANDER SUED
SHIP SUNK BY SUBMARINE CAPTURED BY PIRATES (United Service) HONG-KONG, Thursday. The sinking of the steamer Irene by a British submarine in October, 1927, led to an‘action in the court here today., The owners sued the commander of the submarine and claimed £50,000 damages. The defence was that the sinking was due to an act of State. The commander in his evidence said he had acted under express instructions. The court dismissed the claim.
The steamer Irene, carrying six European officers, was proceeding to Hongkong from Shanghai, when it was captured by pirates. The Irene then set a course for Bias Bay. A British submarine signalled the vessel, but receiving no reply approached nearer, whereupon the pirates opened fire with revolvers. The submarine then shelled the Irene, which, burst into flames. The pirates and passengers leaped overboard, and the submarine rescued 220 out of a total of 258 aboard. The Irene remained afloat, al-hough it was gutted.
There were many heroic incidents, the submarine staying alongside the blazing inferno throughout the night. Members of the crew repeatedly dived to the rescue of the struggling Chinese.
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Bibliographic details
Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 566, 19 January 1929, Page 9
Word Count
187COMMANDER SUED Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 566, 19 January 1929, Page 9
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