SINKING OF H47.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19668, 11 July 1929, Page 9

SINKING OF H 47.

TWENTYFOUR DEAD. SALVAGE OPERATIONS. CONFLICTING REPORTS OF COLLISION. (-CNI7ED PH£S3 ASSOCIATION— BY ELECTEIC TELEGHAPH—COPYRIGHT.) (Received July 10th, 7.15 p.m.) LONDON, July 10. The revised list reveals that there are 24 dead as a result of the sinking of Submarine H 47, including Able Sea man Sampson of submarine Ll2. which collided with H 47. The full details are not available. Both vessels were returning to port after taking part in combined naval manoeuvres off the coast of Ireland, which finished on July 6th. H 47 was being used as a training ship. She was of the Holland type, which are the smallest and slow'est of British submarines. The latest reports state that H 47 was cruising at periscope depth when she was rammed by Ll2, a hole being ripped in her hull, which allowed two of ner company, Lieut.-Commander It. S. Gardner and the telegraphist, Petty-Officer Cleburn, to make a miraculous escape. Earlier reports, however, indicated that both submarines were running on the surface and that H 47 had her conning-tower open. Lieut.-Commander Gardner and Petty-Officer Cleburn being the only men on deck Ll2 was damaged in the neighbourhood of the battery tanks, which are 80 feet from her bows. The accident happened shortly after 9 o'clock on Tuesday morning 20 miles west of Fishguard. H 47 apparently sank immediately and filled instantly. She is in 45 fathoms of water.

Salvage operations have been commenced under the direction of RearAdmiral H. E. Grace, a son of the famous cricketer, the late Dr. W. G. Grace. Diving operations are being conducted from H.M.S. Rodney, and new deep-water diving apparatus is being tried out. Sixteen naval vessels and two flying boats are on the scene. The news of the disaster spread a gloom over the naval towns of Devonport, Portsmouth, and Chatham, where many bereayed families reside. Groups of men and women soon gathered at the Naval Barracks discussing the calamity.—Australian •Press Association. STATEMENT BY FIRST LORD OF ADMIRALTY. LONDON, July 9. The disaster was the subject of a question in the House of Commons this afternoon, when the First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr A. V. Alexander, made a statement giving the facts disclosed in a communique He added that the submarines involved formed part of an instructional submarine flotilla proceeding from Lamlash to Portland. No details were yet available as to the circumstances of the collision. Steps were being taken with all dispatch to locate H 47, but her salvage in such deep water was most improbable. The best diving apparatus available had been dispatched to the scene, and Professor Leonard Hill was on his way to advise and deal with the diving operations. "I regret, however." added the First Lord, "that no hope can be entertained of any of the remainder of her crew being alive. I am sure that the whole House will desire to join in conveying our heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved relatives."—Australian Press Association. United Service.