THE SUBMARINE DISASTER.

Mataura Ensign, 21 July 1909, Page 3

THE SUBMARINE DISASTER.

MISSING SAFETY HELMETS. Received July 21. 9 a.m. LONDON. July 20. In the House of Commons Mr R. MeKenna (First. 1 Aird of the Admiralty), replying to Mr A. H. Leo (Conservative member for tlio Fareham division of Hants and an ex-Civil Ixird of the Admiralty), said that the erews of the submarines Cll and Cl 7 were not provided with safety helmets, enabling the men to escape ill the event of the vessel foundering. "It was impossible," continued Mr McKcnua, "to supply all the submarines with tho helmets before November. '' Mr I ,ce stated that they were promised in May, 1008.

AVliilo on the nay to the Thames to .join the great naval review n passing steamer collided with submarine CI I. off Yarmouth. Lieutenants Brodio and Watkins were rescued and twelve mm were drowned. Simultaneously Cl 6 and ('l7 mutually collided in ndeavoring to avoid the Eddvstone, CI7 being badly damaged.