NAVAL COURT MARTIAL

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 27 February 1935, Page 7

NAVAL COURT MARTIAL

Sequel to Collision Between H.M.S. Hood and Renown MISHAP DURING EXERCISES CONFLICT OF EVIDENCE (United Free* Association—By Elec trio Telegraph Copyright). Received 1 p.m to-day. LONDON Feb. 26. A gun firing from the naval saluting battery and a flag hoisted on Nelson’s Victory heralded the courtmartial of Rear Admiral Bailey and Captain Tower, of H.M.S. Hood, and Captain Sawbridge, of H.M.S. Renown, whose ships were involved in a collision off the coast of Spain on January 26. A guard of seamen, with a band, received the admirals with due honours. Rear Admiral Xroup, prosecuting, said that Rear Admiral Bailey ordered the Hood and the Renown to carry out an inclination exercise, after which the Renown should have taken station astern, of The Hood. When a'signal was made to form; line ahead the Renown was slightly ahead of the Hood. Rear Admiral Bailey was blameable because he did not take action to prevent the development of a situation fin which there was a risk of a collision.

Captain, Sawbridge, commanding the Renown, said he received his order to form line ahead when the ships were 300 yards apart, whereupon he ordered the engines astern. The Renown was not moving at the moment of the collision. He expected the Hood, when she made no further signal, would put her wheel over and bring the Renown astern. Captain Sawbridge, commanding Hood, said that the ships were 1500 yards apart when the line ahead signal was made. There was ample room for the execution of the order. The Renown, travelling at 18 knots, struck the Hood a glancing blow amidships. Although the engines were reversed, a second impact occurred as the vessels swung clear. Rear Admiral Bailey was subsequently acquitted by the court martial. ' Captain Sawbridge and Captain Tov/jr will be tried.