OFFICER'S STORY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 122, 26 May 1939, Page 9

OFFICER'S STORY.

INRUSH OF WATER

Members Of Crew Trapped In

After Part Of Ship.

KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG

Uaited Press Association.—Copyright.

NEW YORK, May 25

Lieutenant Bland, one of those Rescued from the submarine, said: "We knew something was wrong a minute after diving.

"As the water began coming in through the ventilation lines, a sailor, whose name I do not know. pounced upon and slammed the watertight door leading to the affected area. It took super-human strength to do that—l don't know how he did it, because we took a terrific cant <>f 4.1 degrees by the bow

"We lost all power almost immediately, and all communication with the after part of the ship was cut off. Throughout the long day of Tuesday and the night none was excited. We tried for hours to attract the attention of those in the after compartment by telephone, but we never got an answer.

"We do not know what it was that happened. It could happen to any mechanism that requires complicated parts. Captain Praised.

"I never saw men handle a situation any better. The captain was perfectly cool: he gave his orders calmly, and the orders were carried out perfectly by each and every man."

Quartermaster Murphy, in an interview with a representative of the North American Newspaper Alliance, stressed the bitter cold during the wait.

"All through the first afternoon vvc took it easy, trying to save any movement that would use up air and gas." said the quartermaster. "It was cold! [ don't think I will ever get warm again.

"That was the worst part of last night. We got »into our bunks, as nmny •< could, and wrapped ourselves up, and till we" were cold.

"We did not do much talking: that cok energy, and we did not know how ong we would have to be there. And •vho could read, when 26 of our shipmates were missina: and there was every reason to believe they Mere dead? It ■lot you. I can tell you that—but there was no whimpering."