DID NOT RISE AGAIN

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20820, 2 June 1939, Page 7

DID NOT RISE AGAIN

BRITISH SUBMARINE MISSING TRAGIC END TO TRIAL DIVE ONE HUNDRED MEN BELIEVED TO BE ON BOARD (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received June 2, 11 a.m.) tm- LONDON, June 1 His Majesty’s new submarine Thetis, after diving during trials off Birkenhead, was not seen again. The Admiralty announces that it is taking all possible steps. The Thetis was undergoing acceptance trials and left Messrs Cammell and Laird’s yard in the morning for Liverpool Bay, beyond the bar lightship at the mouth of the Mersey. She dived at 1.30 p.m- at a point fifty miles off Birkenhead and was expected to rise to the surface at 4.30 p.m., but no signal was received. All warships in the vicinity have been ordered to search. The complement of the Thetis is officially stated to be five officers and 48 men, with the builders’ representatives in addition. Messrs Cammell and Laird have issued the following statement: “We are absolutely in the dark at present. The submarine carried twenty of our staff , in charge of Mr Crout. It also carried a number of Admiralty experts. The Thetis left our yard about 10 a.m., accompanied by a tug. We understand that it is from the tug that the Admiralty has received a message that something is amiss.” The Thetis was completed and commissioned for duty on March 4, at a cost of £350,000- She is commanded by Lieutenant Commander G. H. Bolus. The naval correspondent of the London Press Association says it is believed that there is a total of one hundred aboard the Thetis.

NO MESSAGE

MAY HAVE STRUCK OBJECT ADMIRALTY'S RESCUE PLANS BUOY SEEN FROM AIR (United Press Assn.—Elec. TeL Copyrignti (Received June 2, 12.55 p.m.) LONDON, June 1 No message has been received from the Thetis since she dived. The Admiralty at 10 p.m. had no news. Officials stated that every efTort is being made to locate the Thetis, which is believed to have sunk in 132 feet of water. It is feared that she may have struck a submerged object which has put all the electrical equipment out of action. It is estimated that at least 75 men are aboard. A tug and a number of warships are at the spot. The weather to-night is misty. “5.0.5.” notices were flashed upon the screen of cinemas and theatres in Weymouth and Portland, recalling men serving in the first antisubmarine flotilla and the sixth destroy flotilla to their ships. Eight destroyers of the Tribal class are sailing for the Mersey from Port-

land and the first anti-submarine llotilla is preparing lo sail during the night. These and the destroyers are all fitted with the lotest secret detector device used in underwater operations for locating craft. All members of the crew of the Thetis are fitted with Davis escape apparatus. Buoys released from the submarine were observed from the air. LOCATED BY AIRCRAFT SHIPS RUSH TO SPOT NEWS NOT CONFIRMED (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received June 2, 1 p.m.) LONDON, June 2 Aircraft located the Thetis off Great Ormes Head. Surface ships are hurrying to the spot to establish communication. The Admiralty does not confirm that the Thetis has been located. Officials add that aircraft reported sighting a buoy off Great Ormes Head as darkness was falling, suggesting that it might belong to the submarine, but there has been no confirmation from the surface ships which are searching the area.