THETIS DISASTER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 July 1939, Page 7

THETIS DISASTER

EVIDENCE AT INQUIRY TOO MANY MEN SENT INTO ESCAPE CHAMBER. TECHNICIANS EX AMI NED. (Independent Cable Service.) LONDON, July 11Duriug the inquiry into 1 1'? sinking of the .submarine Thetis', Air .Justice Bucknill siiid the probable reason lor putting four men into I he escape chamber was shortage of time. “They must have been very much like sardines in a tin,” he said, and the apparatus required certain freedom of movement. I do not think there is the slightest reason to suppose that there was any panic.” Lieutenant Commander McVicker demonstrated the difficulties of four men using the apparatus in the rescue chamber. He thought this was the chiel cause of failure. Since 1937 there had been only four complete the apparatus at the training centre at Fort Blockhouse from a total of 3279 men he said. He considered it was a mistake to send four men into the chamber as it was designed for two. Four men would be crushed together, which would probably affect their ability to breathe out. The crowding might even double up the mouthpiece tubes and, if such was the case, they could neither breathe in nor breathe out. John Rowe, assistant foreman shipwright in the employ of Cammed, Laird and Co, builders of the submarine, said he examined the Thetis on the morning of its departure and discover ■ ed that there was a list of two and a half inches to port. He reported the list and was informed that it would be rectified by trimming. A second examination immediately before sailing showed a list of nearly three inches. . j Mr L. C. Williamson, Assistant Director of Naval Construction, ciossexamined, said that if the Thetis had been fitted with efficient mechanism preventing the outer and inner doors of the torpedo tubes opening simul tapeously, the disaster might not have occurred (states a Press Association message). Other technicians testified that the inspection of the Davis escape apparatus on March 30 showed that it was satisfactory. The Attorney-General, Sir Donald Somervell, said that the evidence of the divers who descended at the time of the rescue efforts would not be brought forward at present as it was inconclusive evidence which might become irrelevant if the Thetis were salvaged. He agreed that in the event of salvage being impossible the divers' evidence should come before the tribunal.

It is announced that the salvage vessels Ranger and Zelo and the diving ship Tedworth have gone to Liverpool Bay. The weather is good. The Tedworth is now moored over th» Thetis. LAST SIGNALS TUG CAPTAIN’S TESTIMONY. INTENTION OF SUBMARINE'S , COMMANDER. (Received This Day. 9.40 a.m.) LONDON, July 13. At the Thetis inquiry Captain Godfrey, skipper of an accompanying tug said he ordered his signalman to ask the Thetis whether she was submerging completely and the Thetis replied that her periscope and also a red flag would be visible the whole time. The Thetis first went down at the stern and then began to roll from side to side. The bow went down, then swung about four points to port, before disappearing very quickly. It took about a quarter of an hour to submerge. The Thetis was still swinging to the left when last seen. An Independent Cable Service message states that James Crosby, a naval telegraphist on an accompanying tug, said he radioed Fort Blockhouse, asking how long the Thetis was supposed to be submerged. Fifteen minutes after transmitting the message, which required twenty minutes to send, due to the fact of his signals being weak, he was ordered to send a further message, stating that the Thetis had dived and had failed to appear again. He was unable to get this message through.