K5's FATAL DIVE.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 21, 25 January 1921, Page 5

Ks's FATAL DIVE.

THE SUBMARINE DISASTER. "KEAIiT FREAK BOATS. ,, CKeceived 8 a.m.) LONDON, January 24. It is stated at Portsmouth that the 'K5, which sank with all hands on Thursday, 100 miles off Land's End, gave trouble after refitting. A former member of her crew says that the vessel dived at a steep angle in May laet at Eosyth, and remained down two hours. Mr. Beaumont, the chief engine-room artificer, who perished in the K5, stated while on leave recently that the submarine dived all right in shallow water, but added: "God help us when she goes down in deep water!" Rear-Admiral S. S. Hall, who was in command of the submarine service during the war, is of opinion that the loss of the gubmarine K5 was due to rapid diving in deep water. Probably there was some delay in checking the downward momentum of the submarine, which was thus crushed and was unable to use its signalling plant. Admiral Hall adds that the X submarines are delicate vessels, and really freak boats. Distressing scenes were witnessed at Portsmouth, where weeping widows and sweethearts gathered at the dockyard gates. Many refused to accept the announcement that all hands had been lost.—(A. and N.Z. Cable.)