NAVAL COURT-MARTIAL

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 February 1935, Page 7

NAVAL COURT-MARTIAL

RENOWN’S CAPTAIN GUILTY

DISMISSED FROM SHIP

(BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.]

(Received February 28, 1 p.m.) RUGBY, February 27.

The second of the three courtsmartial, arising out of the collision between the battle-cruisers Hood and Renown, off the coast of Spain, took olace at Portsmouth. The defendant, Captain Henry Sawbridge, was charged with negligently and by default, hazarding the Renown, of which he was the commanding officer. He was found guilty, and was sentenced to be dismissed from his ship.

DEFENDANT’S EVIDENCE.

LONDON, February 27.

As a result of the sentence, Sawbridge will be placed on half-pay, imInediately. An appeal cannot be allowed. The Lords of the Admiralty alone are empowered to alter the decision. ■ '

Sawbridge gave evidence that he was satisfied the manoeuvre was being executed as understood by the original instructions. He expected the Hopd to turn when 1800 yards distant. Although the Hood had ample rcom, he took a precaution by turning the Renown out. The Hood could have avoided the collision, but she stood on her course, whereupon he went astern. The ships touched, as the Renown was- gathering sternway. Rear-Admiral Bailey, in evidence, said that 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 the flagship guiding a mixed force to alter her course.

The Court deliberated for ninety minutes, after which the public * was readmitted, and saw Sawbridge’s tabled sword significantly pointing to his place, indicating that he had been found guilty. The Court held that Sawbridge hazarded his ship by continuing on the course at twelve knots, until the risk of a collision was present, and that he subsequently failed to act effectively to prevent the collision. Sawbridge was a member of Lord Jellicoe's staff in H.M.S. New Zealand, on the Dominion cruise in 1919.