SEARCH FOR SUBMARINE

Evening Star, Issue 21013, 29 January 1932, Page 9

SEARCH FOR SUBMARINE

DIVERS AT WORK LITTLE HOPE FOR CHEW Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, January 28. A message from Portland states that the search is being continued by H.M.S. Tedworth, with deep-sea diving appliances, and extra divers are operating. ’ It is stated that unless the oxygen reservoirs are out of action, it is possible that the crew will survive for two or three A SHIPMASTER'S REPORT LONDON, January 28, • Tho British United Press representative at Gravelines (France) interviewed Captain Howard, master of the Tynesider. Ho said he saw tho submarine M2 with one end down at an angle of 45deg. It then dived into the sea eight miles north-west-north of Portland Bill, and two miles and a-half from tho shore. VESSEL NOT DEFINITELY LOCATED (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, January 27. The gravest fears are entertained regarding tho fate of the fifty-six officers and men of the submarine M2. Numerous vessels and aircraft have been continuously searching the area, but so far the vessel has not been definitely located, although several uncharted obstructions, possibly old wrecks, have been encountered. The M2 was equipped with an aeroplane, and two members of the Air Force are among the missing men. HOPE ABANDONED LONDON, January 28. (Received January 29, at 1 a.m.) The search has been shifted to the spot where Captain Howard saw the submarine disappear, but hope is now abandoned, as tho oxygen must be exhausted. Diving was continued the whole night long. The undercurrent prevented the clivers reaching tho located obstacle. HOPE PRACTICALLY VANISHED THICK MIST HAMPERING . SEARCH. LONDON, January 28. (Received January 29, at 10 a.m.) After a fruitless 'all-night search the prospect of finding the M2 in time to rescuo tho crew alive has practically vanished. The search to-day moved to the point at which the Tynesider’s captain saw a submarine submerging on Tuesday. The chances of ever locating the J. aro becoming less with the increasing seas and strong current. A thick mist is hampering the divers and airmen. The skipper of the schooner Crown of Denmark informed- the Admiralty that he saw at 1.40 on Tuesday ip Lyme Bay, sixteen miles south-east qf Lyme Regis, a sudden bright light, which reappeared brighter and then disappear'd. There were two loud explosions ten minutes afterwards, OIL ON WATER DIVERS RECONNOITRING OBSTRUCTION. LONDON, January 28. (Received January 29, at 12.30 p.m.) The Roar Admiral commanding the search reported at 6.40 a.m.“ The possibility of saving the lives of those in M2 is almost hopeless, and I Have temporarily abandoned operations on the obstruction discovered on January 26, the sweep of continual shipping preventing the divers reaching it. The diver has not yet reached the other obstruction found yesterday. He may be successful at the next tide. A further search to-day revealed an obstruction six miles off Portland Bill. Divers have been to the bottom nearby, but so far they have uto reached the obstruction. Operations continue,” Tho last-named obstruction refers to a discovery following seaplanes reporting a quantity of oil. The destroyer Sabre dropped her anchor in the neighbourhood, resulting in further oil coming to the surface, suggesting that the occupants of tho submarine, hearing the anchor, might have released the oil to indicate their whereabouts, although it is realised that th anchor might have penetrated the obstacle. Three divers fruitlessly made an effort to reach the obstruction. An Admiralt communique, in connection with the reported lights and explosions contrasts tho difference of eight hours between the time thereof and the Tynes. .leer’s report. Tho communique ad ’j that the ty .t and the explosion are both unaccountable.