WRECK INQUIRY.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 247, 18 October 1928, Page 7

WRECK INQUIRY.

FRENCH SUBMARINE,

Suspicious . Conduct Of Greek

Captain. *

SILENCE ON ACCIDENT.

I (Australian and-X-Z. Pres« Association.)

PARIS, October 17.

The people of France are angrily discussing the circumstances surrounding the "Tifciiig of the submarine Ondine by the Greet steamer Ekaterini C. off Oporto.

It is now believed that nothing would have been known of the submarine's fate if the members of the crew of the Ekaterini had not been overheard talking in a cafe at Rotterdam.

Their conversation was reported to the French Consul there, who initiated an inquiry which is now being held. It »s presided over by the Greek Consul. Dutch experts have been called to give evidence.

The wireless operator on the French steamer Alberte Le Borgne, who picked up the Ekaterini's message to the effect that she had struck an unknown object, says the vital word "submarine" was suppressed. Tet it is "how, evident that the submarine was awash when she'was overtaken and sent to the bottom.

The evidence so far given at the inquiry at Rotterdam shows that the captain of the Ekaterini, instead of hanging in the ship's log immediately, according to international custom, only delivered it three days later.. The log referred vaguely to an' "encounter with a wreck.*'

In the meantime the captain had sailed for Schiedam, Holland- There he had his ship hurriedly repaired and ail traces of the collision oblitexated.

When the Greek captain gave evidence before the commission of inquiry, he

first denied hut afterwards admitted having rammed the submarine.

The Greek authorities have intimated that should the culpability of the captain of the Ekaterini be proved he will be dealt with in the most severe manner possible.

The last honours were paid to the lost crew of the Ondine. A salute was fired and flowers were thrown on to the sea at the spot where the craft wai sunk.