THETIS DISASTER INQUIRY

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22767, 20 July 1939, Page 11

THETIS DISASTER INQUIRY

“NO DIFFICULTY TO ATTACH AIR PIPE” DIVER’S EVIDENCE IN CROSS-EXAMINATION (Received July 19, 10.45 a.m.) LONDON, July 18. At the inquiry fnto the Thetis disaster, a diver,. Frederick Orton, described the discovery of entanglement of wire’ with the conning tower. He expressed the opinion that this may have interfered with the escape hatch. He said that he attached a guide rope’and came to the surface. He was then ordered to cut the rope and cease diving. Cross-examined, Orton said that he would have had no difficulty in attaching an air pipe or screwing down the forward hatch in accordance with Captain Oram’s plan. The Attorney-General (Sir Donald Somervell) read an Admiralty statement of 1934 that it intended relying on the Davis escape apparatus in preference to waiting in the hope of salvage. Mr Justice Bucknill; This is quite at variance with the rescue plan which Captain Oram brought up for raising the ship. lam wondering why the men ceased to escape or whether they voluntarily decided to stay. The Attorney-General: We are recalling Captain Oram regarding this matter. SQUALUS ON EVEN KEEL SALVAGE DIVERS’ REPORT (Received July 20, 12.15 a.m.) NEW YORK,, July 19. Salvage divers found the United States submarine Squalus resting on an almost even keel after its second plunge to the bottom. The vessel is apparently undamaged, although the salvage chains and gear are badly fouled round the hull.