THE SUBMARINE DISASTER.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19669, 12 July 1929, Page 11

THE SUBMARINE DISASTER.

ADMIRAL'S REPORT.

! VESSEL SANK INSTANTLY. DIVERS ON THE SCENE. tujrrrtu i-h-ess association* —bt electuic tsi jtoaAPH—coptbiokt .) LONDON, July 10. Bad weather to-day hindered the search for tho sunken submarine H 47, which, it is now realised, is the grave of 22 gallant men. The Bear-Admiral commanding the submarines, who proceeded from Pembroke to tho position in which Submarine H 47 was sunk, has issued a preliminary report which states that both H 47 and Ll2 were cruising on the surface at 8.10 a.m. when the collision occurred. Ll2 struck H 47 on the port side at right angles, just abaft the foremost control room bulkhead, Ll2's bow penetrating about two feet. H 47 sank in a few seconds, considerably down by the bow, in a depth of 55 fathoms. Orders had been gi-"en to close the watertight doors and abandon the ship. From the evidence of the commanding officer and of the rating who escaped from the control room, it does not appear that the doors could have been closed at the time.

"I am convinced," the Admiral adds, "that there is no possibility of any of tho crew of H 47 having remained alive for more than a very few minutes." Experts say that when H 47 sank the acid tanks wou'd upset, instantaneously killing the crew. The Admiralty statement indicates that Ll2 also had a most narrow escape. When the collision occurred Ll2 was carried down 40 feet at an angle of 50 degrees, bow down. Tho captain, officers, and men, all of whom were on deck, were thrown into tho water. A considerable amount of water entered the submarine before the hatches wore closed, and she was able to rise to tho surface. Professor Leonard Hill, who is assisting in the refcue work of H 47, dived near the sunken submarine and tried to communicate by using a bell, but there were no answering signals. Submarine L 69 dived to try to communicate with H 47 by sound telegraphy, but received no answering signals. Diver Bell, a very experienced deep sea diver, has been taken off the battle cruiser Renown by the destroyer Torrid, but the sea is rough and unsuitable for diving operations. In any case the depth of 300 feet at which H 47 lies makes it doubtful if a diver could rea>.h it. Petty-Officer Hicks, who was saved from H 47, was shot off by the force of the collision, and as he sank grasped a stay wire of Ll2. Although carried down for several fathoms, he was still hanging on when Ll2 returned to the surface. A survivor of Ll2 gave a dramatic picture of tho scene after the collision. He said: "There was a terrific bang and we were all flung down as Ll2 dived at an impossible angle. Fumes began to rise from the acid tanks, but every man sprang to his feet and carried out the commander's orders. There was no panic. It seemed years to me but it could have been only seconds before the commander, by superb seamanship, brought Ll2 to the surface." The King has sent an expression of his deep grief at the disaster to the Admiralty, and conveyed his heartfelt sympathy to the relatives of the dead. —Australian Press Association, United Service, Official Wireless. TRAVELLING AT FULL SPEED.

(Received July 11th, 7 p.m.)

LONDON, July 10,

The "Daily Telegraph" says it is learned that H 47 developed engine trouble during the return journey from Lamlash and fell behind the leading section of H Flotilla. As she was approaching the Pembrokeshire coast before the trouble was remedied, she then proceeded at full speed to regain her Pl The collision occurred when H 47 was passing the flotilla of L submarines. H 47 was ripped right along her side and sank like a stone owing to the sudden inrush of water. —Australian Press Association.