PUBLIC DISQUIET

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20822, 5 June 1939, Page 7

PUBLIC DISQUIET

INDIGNANT CROWDS PERTINENT QUESTIONS ALLEGED RECKLESSNESS :United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, June 4 The recent mishap to the American submarine riquaius, when 33 men (all that were left alive) were rescued from a depth of 240 ft. in a little over 12 hours, by the diving-bell chamber, is recalled by the Sunday Express, which says: “The Britisli Navy has no such ueil, and the Admiralty will have ko explain why not. The Admiralty will also have to explain why the Thetis carried out a dive in 132 ft. of water when her own lefigth is 265 ft.” Relatives of the men in the Thetis are asking why the mishap was allowed to end in disaster, says tin. Birkenhead correspondent of the Evening Standard. There are mutterings of indignation among the crowds waning lor news outside Cammell Laird's shipyard. Throe Questions Asked Many men with expert knowledge of suomarmes are asking three questions : (1; Why, since 18ft. of the stern of the Thetis was above water for 12 hours, was it not possible to cut a hole in the hull and rescue the men before any attempt was made Lo raise the submarine?—The Admiralty says the submarine was not far enough out of the water for a hole to be cut. \'l j Why was there such delay in getting ail air line welded Lu the hull? —lt is reported, without ofllcial confirmation, that an air line was being attached when the steel hawser broke and the Thetis sank. The Admiralty says there were great diving difficulties in the tideway. (3) Why were the huge air-filled pontoons not secured lo the hull before any attempt was made to raise it with the hawser? —The Admiralty says it is not certain, hut believes the Thetis slipped from the wires when she swung round in the flood tide. Public’s Indignation The Sunday newspapers register the public's astonishment, disquiet and growing indignation. It is even alleged that the men’s lives were recklessly risked because certain measures which might have saved them were delayed in the attempt to save the ship also. The United States is shocked and deeply sympathetic at the loss of the men on board the Thetis, which followed so closely upon the tragedy of the Squalus. A full inquiry will be held by the Naval authorities as soon as it is practicable. Complaint by Newspapers The newspapers complain of uncertainty about the progress of the rescue work, largely due to the brusque uncommunicativeness of officials of Cammell Laird and Company toward luu journalists representing the newspaper agencies of Britain, France and America, a deputation from whom was allowed to pass the outer gates of the shipyard only after sending a joint letter to Mr R. S. Johnson, the managing director, who gave the first authentic account of the disaster since the submergence of the submarine two days earlier.

Editorials demand the ruthless pressing and proper answering of all questions pertinent to the loss of the crew of the Thetis and the failure to effect their rescue.