AMPHIBIAN SINKS

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22765, 18 July 1939, Page 11

AMPHIBIAN SINKS

MISHAP ALONGSIDE CRUISER CREW SAVED FROM SHARKINFESTED WATER CPRRSS ASSOCIATION TZTJGBAK.) AUCKLAND, July IT. After a successful flight over Aittltaki on Saturday, the amphibian aeroplane from H.M.S. Achilles capsized at the cruiser’s side and sank immediately in 300 fathoms of water, says a Press Association message from the cruiser. The pilot. Lieutenant Sykes, and Leading-Telegraphist Trent both made a dramatic escape from the sinking machine in sharkinfested waters. The machine was a Walrus amphibian, which replaced a similar machine lost in the Red Sea during the trip of H.M.S. Achilles to New Zealand last April. Long flights had already been made at Rarotonga, Mauke. and Atiu where the natives were awed at the first “iron bird” seen. On Saturday morning, the machine made a perfect take-off from the cruiser’s catapult. _ _ . Their Excellencies Lord and Lady Galway. Captain Parry, and 12 officers were lunching at the Residency at Aitutaki when a message was holographed to the shore that the machine had sunk and that the crew was sale. Heroic efforts by Lieutenant Sykes and Telegraphist Trent and sailors to secure wires to the sinking machine were unsuccessful. . The accident occurred while the amphibian was being hoisted inboard. It is impossible for a diver to operate owing to the tremendous depth. Captain Tarry informed a Pres* Association representative that an inquiry will be held to investigate the cause of the mishap.