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Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 June 1939, Page 5

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PREPARATIONS TO RAISE THETIS ANNOUNCEMENT IN HOUSE OF LORDS. FINE TRADITIONS UPHELD BY DOOMED MEN. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.48 a.m.) RUGBY, June 6. Earl Stanhope in the House of Lords said "camels” had now been secured to the submarine Thetis by 3A-inch wire to a ballring at the stern and by another wire to the bow cable, and three lifting wires been placed under the submarine. "If fine weather continues, it is considered possible that a trial lift may be made in about fortyeight hours,” Earl Stanhope observed. Survivors’ reports showed that the bearing of the officers and men of the Thetis during the terrible period from the time of the accident was of the highest order and in accordance with the best traditions of the service, while the behaviour of all civilians on board was of an equally high standard. “I was at Devonport when "the disaster occurred and in close touch with the Commander-in-Chief at Plymouth, who was responsible for initiating action,” EaiT Stanhope said. “The public do not fully appreciate the effect of strong tides in causing difficulty in the divers’ work and that the sharp angle of the submarine turned an accident into disaster.”

Thetis relief funds have been opened by the Mayor of Capetown and the Lord Mayor of Melbourne. Cammell Laird and Company has subscribed £5OOO to the Thetis fund.