RENOWN’S CAPTAIN

Evening Star, Issue 21966, 28 February 1935, Page 11

RENOWN’S CAPTAIN

FINDING OF COURT MARTIAL DISMISSED HIS SHIP (British Official Wireless.) Press Association—By Telegraphy-Copyright RUGBY, February 27. (Received February 28, at noon.) The second of three court? martial arising out of the collision between the battle cruisers Hood and Renown off the coast of Spain took place at Portsmouth. The defendant (Captain. Henry Sawbridge) was charged with negligently and by default hazarding the Renown, of which he was commanding officer. He was found guilty, and sentenced to be dismissed his ship. THE FINDINGS OF THE COURT LONDON, February 27. (Received February 28, at noon.) Captain Sawbridge was convicted and dismissed from the Renown. As a result of the sentence Captain Sawbridge will bo placed on half-pay immediately. An ■ appeal cannot be allowed. The Lords of the Adniirality alone are empowered to alter the decision. Captain Sawbridge gave evidence that he was satisfied that the manoeuvre was being executed as he understood the original instructions. He expected the Hood to turn when she was 1,800 yards distant. Although the Hood had ample room he took precautions by turning the Renown out. The Hood could have avoided the collison, but she stood on her course, whereupon he went astern. The ships touched as the Renown was gathering sternway. ; Rear-admiral Bailey, in his evidence, said he never proposed to the Renown’s captain that the Hood should turn in order to facilitate the Renown’s movements. He would not expect a flagship guiding a mixed force to alter her course. The court deliberated for ninety minutes, after which the public were readmitted, and they saw Captain Sawbridge’s tabled sword significantly pointing to his place, indicating that he had been found guilty. The court held that Captain Sawbridge hazarded his ship by continuing on his course at twelve knots until the risk of collision was present, and that he subsequently failed to act effectively to prevent the collision. ■ Captain Sawbridge was a member of Lord Jellicoe’s staff on. H.M.S. New Zealand on*the dominion cruise in 1919.