CONDUCT OF CREW

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 8, 9 July 1931, Page 9

CONDUCT OF CREW

POSEIDON DISASTER

COURAGE AND FORTITUDE I TRADITIONS OF NAVY (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, 7th July. With reference to the disaster to the submarine Poseidon near Weihaiwci on 9th June, a remarkable story ■of the behaviour of the members of tho crew, who were cut off in the forepart of .the ship, most of whom eventually were saved, was told by the First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr. A. V. Alexander, in tlie House of Commons.

According to a report received from the Commander-in-Chief in China, when the collision occurred an order to close the watertight doors was given.

Willis, a torpedo gunner's mate, took charge of those in tho forepart, calling on them to close the door of the compartment with themselves on the inside, as this might mean tho saving of the ship. While the work was in progress the ship lurched to starboard and sank.

Willis then ordered his companions to put on their escape apparatus, and explained that he was going to flood the compartment in order to equalise the pressure with that on the outside. He told .off each man to his station, and tho imprisoned men were working in darkness except for an occasional light from an electric torch. HBKOIC LEADER. x While the compartment was slowly tilling, the report stated, -Willis kept his companions in good heart, and Nagle, another member of the crew, instructed a Chinese boy in the use of the' apparatus, which eventually saved his life. After two hours the hatch was opened sufficiently for two men to shoot up, but the pressure reclosed the hatch. Of the two men, Levock and Holt, who thus escaped, the former came to the surface unconscious and died. After another hour, by which time the men were nearly up to their necks in water, a second effort was made. The hatch opened and four more men came to the surface—Willis, Clarke; Nagle, and Ah Dai—all of whom were picked up by the boats. "It is abundantly clear," the report says, '.'that the courage* and fortitude of these men in the darkness of the slowly flooding compartments, facing a situation more than desperate, was in accordance with the very highest traditions of the British Navy. "Coolness, .confidence, ability, and the power to command were shown by Willis, who no doubt was principally responsible for saving so many lives. He deserves the very highest praise." - The report added that Willis said prayers for himself and his companions when the lights failed and before the compartment was flooded. Mr. Alexander said that the question of suitable recognition of Willis and tho others was under consideration. General cheers greeted this announcement.