NAVY MISHAP

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 64, 27 February 1935, Page 7

NAVY MISHAP

HOOD AND RENOWN ADMIRAL ACQUITTED Captains Yet To Be Tried CAUSE OF THE COLLISION (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Received 27, 12.45 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 26. Rear-Admiral 8. R, Batley was to-day acquitted by court-martial at Portsmouth on a charge of hazarding the battle cruisers Hood and Renown, which came into collision during exercises off the Spanish coast last month. The court-martial is the first of three to be held in accordance with normal procedure following such an accident. At tie other two Captain Sawbridge, of the Renown, and Captain Tower, of the Hood, will be tiled, The Hood is RearAdmiral Bailey's flag ship and at to-day’s court-martial he blamed the Renown for the collision. A gun firing from the naval saluting battery and a flag hoisted on Nelson’s V ictory heralded the court-martial. A guard of seamen with a band received the admirals with due honours. Rear-Admiral Troup, prosecuting, said that Hour-Admiral Bailey ordered the Hood and the Renown to carry out inclination exercise, after which the Renown should have taken station astern of the Hood. When the signal was made to form line ahead the Renown was slightly ahead of the Hood. Admiral Bailey was blanieable because ho did not take action to prevent the development of a situation in which there was a risk of collision. Captain Sawbridge, commanding the Renown, said that he received an 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 that the Hood when she made no further signal would put the wheel over and bring the Renown astern. Captain Tower, commanding the 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. Admiral Bailey demonstrated the position of the ships with models. In evidence he said that he gave no further signal because it was important to eliminate redundant signals. He expressed the opinion that the Renown closing because of being reluctant to lose her bearings before necessary was no reason to suppose that she would not follow the usual procedure as twice recently carried out. “My opinion was that she manoeuvred badly and could not expect the flagship which was directing the squadron to make way for her,” said Admiral Bailey. “I have captained the Renown and know that she is a handy ship. I have since thought over any other signal that might have been given, but could think of none except taking over command of the Renown myself.” The court deliberated for an hour and a half anfl when it reopened Admiral Bailey on entering saw his sword hilt facing him, indicating that he was acquitted.