ACQUITTED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 49, 27 February 1935, Page 7

ACQUITTED.

REAR-ADMIRAL.

NAVY COURT-MARTIAL.

Sequel to Hood and Renown

Collision.

BATTLE-CRUISER COMMANDER.

(United P.A.-Electric Telegraph—Copyright)

(Received 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, February 2G

Arising out of the collision of the Kenown and the Hood off the coast of Spain during Navy manoeuvres, Rear-Admiral Bailey, officer commanding the battle-cruiser squadron, was court-martialled to-day. The president of the Court Avas ViceAdmiral Astley Rushton, commanding the reserve fleet.

Captain Tower, of the Hood, and Captain Sawbridge, of the Renown, also involved in the collision, have still to be court-martialled.

A gun firing from the naval saluting battery and a flag hoisted on Nelson's Victory, heralded the court-martial. A guard of seamen with a band received the admirals with clue honours.

Rear-Adiniral Troup, prosecuting, said that Rear-Admiral Bailey ordered the Hood and Renown to carry out an inclination exercise, after-which the Kenown should have taken station astern of the Hood.

When the signal was made to form "line ahead," the Renown was slightly ahead of the Hood. Rear-Admiral Bailey was to blame because he did not take action to prevent the development of a situation in which there was risk of collision.

Captain Sawbridge, commanding the Renown, said that he received the order to form "line ahead" when the ships were 300 yards apart, whereupon he ordered the engines astern. The Renown •was not moving at the moment of the collision.

He expected the Hood, when it had not made any further signal, would put over the wheel and bring the Renown astern.

Captain Tower, commanding the Hood, said the ships were 1500 yards apart ■when the "line ahead" signal was made. There was ample room for the execution of the order.

Rear-Admiral Bailey demonstrated the position of the ships with models. His evidence, was that he gave no further signal because it was important to eliminate redundant signals. He expressed the opinion that the Renown closing was hecauee of 'being reluctant to lose bearing before it was necessary. There was no reason to suppose she would not follow the usual procedure as twice recently carried out.

"My impression was that she was manoeuvring badly. I couldn't expect the flagship, which was directing the squadron, to make way for her. I have captained the Eenown and know she is a handy ship.

"I have since thought over the question of another signal being given, but I could think of none except taking over command of the Renown myself."

The Court deliberated for 1$ hours. When it reopened, Rear-Admiral Bailey, on entering, saw his sword hilt facing him, indicating acquittal. He was found not guilty.

Captain Sawbridge will be court-mar tialled to-morrow.