SERVICE AT SEA

Hokitika Guardian, 9 June 1939, Page 6

SERVICE AT SEA

THETIS DISASTER VICTIMS

(Unit* id Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright,).

LONDON, June. ?

With her decks' piled high, with flowers, and crowded with 70 weeping relatives, the mine-sweeper, Hebe, accompanied by the mine-sweeper Seagull, put to sea for the memorial service at -the spot, where the Thetis sank. Many relatives, unable to face tire poignant ordeal, remained ashore, and attended church services.

Two thousand ’ of Cain me] I Laird’s employees attended a. service at Birkenhead.

The service aboard H.AI.S. Hebe was ■conducted by a naval chaplain. • -The dost rovers, Codririgtoh and Basilisk, and the submarine Cachalot,-;’ were present. The “Last Post,” “Reveille,” arid, a salute of guns were features of the service.

Similar services’ were held at Portsmouth, Chatham, Devonport. Barrow, ana Birkenhead, some of which a number of relatives preferred to attend.

SALVAGE WORK INTERRUPTED

LONDON June 8

The Thetis salvage operations have b&hi suspended, after the snapping of a wire in a heavy swell. 1 Heavier wires are being obtained.

TO BE LEFT ON SEA BED?

SALVAGE MOVE FOR DISCUSSION.

(Receievd this day at TO. 45 a’.m. ) *: ’ LONDON, June S.

The controller of the navy is going to Birkenhead to confer with experts regarding the‘next step in the salvaging of the Thetis. The Press Association statead the advisability of leaving the Thetis on the «ea bed was under consideration, but Lord Stanhope (First Lord of the Admiralty) in the House of Lords, said there was rio authority for the suggestion’ that the Thetis may he abandoned. Mr Neville Chamberlain in the House of Comomns announced - that Justice Bucknill will preside at the Thetis inquiry.. ’

The flooding of the submarine is thought to be more extensive than was expected; the consequence loss of buoyancy necessitating more powerful lifting gear.