RESCUE FROM A SUBMARINE.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 52, 1 March 1919, Page 19

RESCUE FROM A SUBMARINE.

STORY OF HEROISM AND ENDURANCE Of the score or more of thrilling stories wh__ might be told of naval heroism during the war, few, if any, can rival in dramatic and tragic interest that which happened to a British submarine that went down in the Gareloch, off the River Clyde. The episode has been briefly mentioned before, as it related to the 'act for which the late Captain Goodhart, of tlie British Navy, was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. The submarine was on her trials. She had on board 73 persons, including naval contractors and men from the yard where she had been built. The order was giveu for her to submerge, and when she had gone Just beneath the surface water began to ponr into her aft and she descended steru downward into fifteen fathoms. An inspection subsequently showed that the disaster was caused by tbe ventilating shafts being left open. Those in the rear of the submarine —30 in number —were immediately drowned. The fore part of the vessel was shut off, and the 42 who were at that end were saved. "How their rescue was accomplished is a tribute to the skill of the Admiralty Salvage Department. A few hours bad passed before divers went down to tbe submarine on what they considered a forlorn hope as far as bringing up anybody alive was concerned. Getting to the bottom, they discovered that the stern of the vessel was embedded in many feet of mud. They knocked at the bull, and to their amazement there was a responsive tapping, which made it known that at least some ot those inside were alive. Then Captain Goodhart essayed a task which reads like a tale from Jules Verne. The high pressure air bottles were brought Into use. and the captain undertook with their aid to be projected tbrough the conning tower and shot Into the water in the hope of reaching the surface and conveying to the rescue party information as to the condition of those below. He was hurled forward at terrific speed, but bis head striking a beam in tbe tower he _s Immediately killed. His example was followed by another ship's commander, who was fortunate enough to reach the surface and was caught and saved by the salvage men. Acthrg on his information, divers again descended and got into communication with the imprisoned men by means of Morse signals. With marvellous ingenuity the rescuers were able to insert through a water flap, which was temporarily opened from the inside, a flexible bose, through wnich air and also bovril, chocolate and other sustaining beverages were passed to the interior of the submarine. The entombed men never lost heart, although the chances were that they would never be got out alive At their request playing cards were sent down "to beguile the tedinm ot waiting," as one of them said. Strong wires were then put round the vessel, and as tbe submarine men were provided with air from above There was nn need for them further to conserve their air bottles. They were utilised to blow out the oil fuel forward. With this gone the vessel after a time drove upward at high speed, until her how was well above water in a perpendicular position. Immediately a big hole was made in her by acetylene burners and the 42 men were brought out and conveyed to an infirmary near by.