SALVAGE WORK

Grey River Argus, 4 June 1942, Page 5

SALVAGE WORK

ON JAP. SUBMARINES

In Sydney Harbour (Special to N.Z. Press Assn.) (Rec. 11.45.) SYDNEY, June 3. The work of salvaging the Japanese midget submarines that were sunk in Sydney harbour on Sunday night is continuing. At least one of the two located suomarines has been raised from the harbour bed. It is believed that this craft is practically intact. Naval experts and divers continue to search for the wreckage of a third midget submarine. The Minister for the Navy vHon. Mr Makin), states that the Navy is ■absolutely certain that this submarine had been destroyed. Naval divers confirm reports that the submarines are of the same type as those used in the Pearl Harbour attack. They are believed to carry only two men. “They are built for the definite object of destruction, followed by self-destruction/’ Mr Makin stated. Good progress is known to have been made in the work of recovering the wreckage of the two submarines which have been found. Naval auxiliary vessels have kept all unofficial craft at a safe distance from where the divers are working.

While it is now considered almost impossible, it was thought earlier that the crew of one of the submarines might be alive, and that they would destroy their vessel, rather than allow it to be captured intact. The Naval authorities are taking, every care to secure this submarine in as undamaged a condition as possible, since much remains to be learned of the construction of these craft and of their capabilities. It has been suggested that they may be fitted with Diesel engines, as well, as with storage batteries. This would allow them to travel considerably more than the normal maximum range of two hundred miles. JAP. SUBMARINES TO BE DISPLAYED. (Rec. 12.10). SYDNEY, June 3. The Navy Minister, Mr. Makin, stated that he favoured the placing of the (wrecked submarines on display to the public, but it would take some time for them to be raised and to be minutely examined.

MOTHER SHIP MYSTERY

Tasman Sea Search HOW MANY MIDGETS. (Rec. 12.10) SYDNEY, June 3. There is a possibility that more than three Japanese midget submarines may have been released by the mother ship. This is being borne in mind, and a close watch is being kept for ainy othei’ subm,arines which may be lurking along the Australian coast. Meanwhile the intensive air search for the mother ship still continues. It is ranging far out into Tasman Seia and the Coral Sea. However, it is believed that tne mother ship had thirty hours in which to make good its escape, and that it could on Sunday night, have been five hundred to six hundred miles from the Australian coast. Some experts urge their growing belief that an ocean-going submarine, filled the role of the mother ship. They hold that it towed the pigmy submarines within striking distance of Sydney Harbour, a . that the raiders then began their underwater trip towards Sydney, travelling at an average speed of five knots. Allied Air Command Officers have stated the belief that the three raiders lay submerged for as long as fifteen hours at a rendezvous within one hundred miles of Sydney Harbour', thu>s giving the-ir parent shin the fullest opportunity to escape an air search, which they knew must inevitably follow their attack. MELBOURNE, June 3. The best scout pilots available flying long-range reconnaissance planes have been sent to help in the search for the ship or large submarine which acted as mother-ship to the midgets which made the raid on Sydney harbour. They are making a ■wide sweep of the Pacific Ocean. Radiating from Sydney they have already covered thousands of miles, but their task is extremely difficult.

Sydney Defences

TO BE STRENGTHENED.

(Rec. 12.10) SYDNEY, June 3. Hon. Mr. Makin, Minister for tne Navy, stated to-day that Naval experts were reviewing the Sydney Harbour defences with the object ot strengthening** 'them against possible --ftmther submarine attacks. NAVAL FUNERAL. SIX MEN. (Rec. 12.10) SYDNEY, June 3. Six of the Naval men who were killed when the depot ship sunk in Sydney Harbour, on Sunday night, by an enemy torpedo were buried at Sydney 'this afternoon. There was no public cortege. MELBOURNE, June 3. The latest list of casualties suffered on the depot ship in Sydney harbour sunk by ;a Japanese submarine is eight dead, 11 missing believed dead, and 10 injured. The wreckage is still being searched for the bodies of those missing.