Warship Collision
BLAME ON ADMIRAL BAILEY ' United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. LONDON, March IS. There was a sensational sequel to the Hood-Renown court-martial' when the Board of the Admiralty announced that it had reviewed the proceedings and was unable to absolve Rear-Admiral Bailey from all blame, as he adopted the unusual procedure of directing the Hood and the Renown to steer definite courses too close, by which responsibility for the manoeuvre rested with him. It was incumbent on him to make at the proper moment a further signal to reform the squadron and his not doiug so left a doubt regarding his final intention. The signal to form line ahead was made too late.
Tho board agrees with the finding regarding Captain Sawbridgc, but has reduced his sentence to a severe reprimand. He will resume command of the Renown.
The board considers that Captain Tower, of tho Hood, should have taken action earlier and to that extent is unable to acquit him from all blame.
On February 26, at the court-martial at Portsmouth, Rear-Admiral Bailey was acquitted. Rear-Admiral Troup, prosecuting, said Rear-Admiral Bailey ordered tho Hood and the Renown to carry out an inclination exercise, after which the Renown should have taken her station astern of the Hood. When the signal was made to form a Hue ahead the Renown was slightly ahead of the Hood. Rear-Admiral Bailey was blamcable, Rear-Admiral Troup submitted, because he did not take action to prevent the development of a situation in which there was risk of a collision. Admiral Bailey demonstrated the position of the ships with models. In his evidence he said he gave no further signal because it was important to eliminate the redundant signals. He expressed the opinion that the Renown was closing because she was reluctant to lose her bearing before it was necessary. There was no reason to suppose that she would not follow the usual procedure as she had twice recently carried out the operation,-
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Bibliographic details
Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 66, 20 March 1935, Page 7
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328Warship Collision Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 66, 20 March 1935, Page 7
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