SANK IN TWO MINUTES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20635, 15 August 1941, Page 6

SANK IN TWO MINUTES

LOST MINE-SWEEPER INQUEST ON VICTIMS (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, this day. That the deceased lost their lives through H.M.S. Puriri. on which they were serving, striking a mine in the Hauraki Gulf, was the verdict returned by the coroner, Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., at the inquest to-day on five members of the crew of H.M.S. Puriri who were killed either b> explosion or drowning on May 14 while engaged in mine-sweeping approximately miles north-east o’ Whangarei Heads. They were Douglas William Blacklaws, aged 37, naval lieutenant, married, Herne Bay; Barndt August Mattson, aged 30, stoker, petty officer, single, oi Whenuapai; Leon Purkin, aged 27, able seaman, single, of the Putaruru district; John Richardson, aged 31, steward, single, no relatives in New Zealand; and George Edward Roy I-lobley, steward, married, of Sandringham, Auckland. Lieutenant Arthur Ilolmwood Hyde gave evidence that he was an officer on H.M.S. Puriri on May 14. About--11 a.m. the vessel struck a mine and sank within two or three, minutes. Lieutenant Blacklows, who was on the bridge and was carried away by the blast, was last seen falling into, the sea among the stone ballast and other debris. Stoker Petty Officer Mattson was in his cabin doing his watch below, and no doubt was killed in his bunk. Able Seaman Purkin was washing his hands in the fo’castle and must haVe been killed instantaneously. Stewards Richardson ,and Hoblev were working in the ward room or pantry, both of which were wrecked, and death would have been instantaneous. Immediately H.M.S. Puriri sank the boats were lowered from H.M.S. Gale, which was engaged in minesweeping with H.M.S. Puriri, and an extensive search was made for survivors, but none could be found. Since the sinking, a search of the waters and coast had been made by naval patrols, police launchmen, and settlers, but no, trace of the bodies had been found.