DEPTH CHARGES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 247, 31 July 1941, Page 5

DEPTH CHARGES.

AMERICAN WARSHIP’S ACT SUBMARINE THOUGHT NEAR. LONDON, July 29. The Naval Affairs Committee of the United States Senate.has published the secret testimony of the Secretary of the United States Navy (Colonel Frank Knox) at the inquiry, into the allegations ■ that the United States Navy had been in action against Ger man warships. The report confirmed Colonel Knox’s statement that the United States had not co-operated with the British Navy or armed forces beyond the terms of the Lease-Lend Act.

It also confirmed that the captain of a United States destroyer, when re selling GO survivors of a torpeoed steamer, thought he heard a submerged submarine. He immediately dropped three depth charges. The committee said that in doing this the captain very prudently exercised the right of self preservation. Otherwise the destrbyer might have been sunk.

The committee expressed the- opin ion that a further investigation need not be undertaken.

It was announced on July 11 that the Naval Affairs Committee of he Senate had called on Admiral H. R. Starlc, Chief of United States Naval Operations, and the Secretary of the Navy (Colonel Knox) to give evidence on reports that United States ships had been in conflict with Axis forces. The action of a United States destroyer in dropping depth charges while operating off Greenland, has caused a deep impression in London. It is stated that the United States has shown her firm resolve to defend herself.