SEARCH CONTINUES

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 26, 1 February 1932, Page 7

SEARCH CONTINUES

(EdUsn Official Wireless.)

RUGBY, 29th January. The search for submarine M 2 continued throughout the night and L. still proceeding. An Admiralty announcement last night, however, stated that the possibility of saving life was almost beyond hope.

| The announcement contained the following information from the Bear--1 Admiral in charge of the search:—"We have temporarily abandoned operations oi the obstruction first discovered on Tuesday evening, as the sweep keeps ! slipping so that divers cannot reach it. A diver has not reached the other obstruction found yesterday, but may do so at the next tide. A further search of the area to-day has revealed another obstruction six miles from Portland Bill. Divers have been on the bottom near it, and have so far failed to reach the obstruction. Operations continue." At 5 o'clock this morning a further announcement was issued which stated that the obstruction discovered six miles north by west from Portland Bill is an_ old wreck. ""We shall sweep the vicinity, as an earlier sweep which parted brought up a pair of submarine hand flags in a canvas case. The general search will continue as well. There is no hope of saving life." The task confronting the searchers is immensely difficult, as the sea bed in the bay is dotted with over 200 old wrecks. The flags brought up during the sweep are under expert examination at the dockyard to see if there ia a likelihood of any connection with M 2. Divers and mooring lighters are being held in readiness for an emergency call. An Admiralty statement to-day says it is no longer possible to hope for the rescue of any of the officers r •& men on board M 2. A list has now been issued of the names of the sixty missing.

The King and Queen, have sent messages of deep sympathy to the bereaved families, and also to the officers and men serving in submarines on the loss of their comrades. An officer of the Fleet Air Arm and two air mechanics are among the victims. Many expressions of sympathy have been received from abroad.