SUBMARINE M2

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 38, 28 January 1932, Page 8

SUBMARINE M2

REPORTED TO BE LOCATED DIVERS RUSHED TO SCENE, FEARS FOR SAFETY OF CREW. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright London, January 27. The Admiralty announced at 4 pan. that an object presumed to be the submarine M2 has been located three miles west of Portland Bill in 17 fathoms uii a sandy bottom. Lifting lighters and the best divers of the navy are being rushed to West Bay, where a circle of flickering lights two and a half miles off the Chesil beach indicate- where M2 is lying. The sea is moderate.

The “Daily Telegraph’s” naval expert says: “It is ominous that the M2 vanished under circumstances 10calling the loss of the Ml on November 13, 1925. It is surmised that Ml got out of control during a dive and was crushed by the pressure of water tut passing the limit of safe submergence. Salving a wrecked submarine is a long and tedious process. To indicate that there would be a possibility of raising the boat in time to save the men would be encouraging false hopes.” THEORY IN NAVAL CIRCLES. Warships are grouped in a wide circle around the M2 scene, whither the destroyer Sabre with specially trained deep sea divers and two Admiralty salvage ships with special lifting apparatus are rushing to get operations started at daylight, when, according to the “Daily Mail,” the divers will first attempt to discover whether anybody is alive by tapping the hull and listening for r reply.' The submarine is provided with valves enabling the divers to pump fresh air into any compartment. It is stated that it is possible for the men to live for 80 hours if there is no extensive leakage, but in naval circles at Portland the worst fears are entertained. One theory is that the submarine dived with an open hatch and that the inrush of water prevented the inmates from reaching the Davis apparatus.

NO SIGNALS HEARD. DOUBT AS TO M2’s POSITION. (Received January 28, 0.20 a.m.) LONDON, January 27. Minesweepers continued the search all night and as it is known there is a war time wreck in the vicinity it is now doubted whether the object found overnight is the M2. Many ships assembled this morning, but tho use of instruments capable of hearing under water signals over a wide area was fruitless. The weather is threatening and tho sea rising.