THE SUNKEN SUBMARINE

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20821, 3 June 1939, Page 7

THE SUNKEN SUBMARINE

86 MEN STILL ON BOARD MAINTAIN COMMUNICATIONS BY TAPPING HOPE OF SAVING FURTHER LIVES DIMINISHING (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received June 3, 11 a.m.) LONDON, June 2 Observers ivho were flying over the site where the submarine Thetis sank stated that she was entirely under water at 5.30 p.m., despite the low tide- Efforts to augment the air supply are being continued. Earlier in the afternoon compressed air cylinders were lashed to the stem of the Thetis to prevent sinking. The spring tide was rising when the tail of the Thetis was located. The local difference between low and high tide is 27 feet, and for this reason if the nose is caught the entire tail is likely to be submerged at full tide. Divers are maintaining communication with those inside the submarine by tapping the hull. The Llandudno W lifeboat was launched at 1.30 p.m., and is taking a doctor to the scene. It is estimated that the air supply w ill last those imprisoned until 1.40 p.m. to-morrow. Cammel Laird and Company, Ltd-, have released the names of 29 members of the staff who are aboard the Thetis, also three members of the Vickers-Armstrong staff, thus revealing that there are still 86 men aboard. A later Admiralty report says that the Thetis is apparently at an angle of 45 degrees, with her nose on the bottom. The latest message states that the Admiralty regrets that hope of saving further lives is diminishing.