POSEIDON CALAMITY

Northern Advocate, 11 June 1931, Page 5

POSEIDON CALAMITY

SUBMARINE LOCATED FOUNDERED IN TWO MINUTES. EIGHTEEN MEN MISSING. (British Official Wireless./ (Received 12.30 p.m.) RUGBY, June 10. After hours of searching by British naval vessels, the submarine Poseidon, sunk in collision off North China, with the loss of 18 men dead and missing, was located by a grapnel last night. Attempts today are being made to raise her by air pressure. Divers are working in from 115 to 120 feet of water. A Hong Kong message states that the collision occurred in a dense fog. The latest advices received by the Admiralty states that the Poseidon was sunk whilst operating on the surface in full buoyancy. The vessel was holed on the starboard side forward of the conning tower, and sank by the bow in about two minutes. The majority of the crew were able to escape by means of the conning tower hatch.

Six men had extremely fortunate escapes by the use of the submarine escape apparatus. The efficiency with which this works is indicated by the fact that two men came to the surface two and three-quarter hours and four men three and a-quarter hours after the collision. Apparently they had somehow managed to free themselves from the terrible position down below.

The new submarine escape apparatus used is the invention of a London man, Mr. R. J. Davis. In appearance it resembles a lifebelt with a gas mask attached. It is 12 months since the apparatus was first served out as part of the equipment of submarine crews. Each man is fully trained in its use. This is the first time a disaster has befallen a submarine equipped with this apparatus. The breathing bag, to which a small cylinder of compressed oxygen is attached, is strapped on the chest and acts as a lifebuoy. Little Hope Entertained.

It was stated that bubbles wore seen coming from the wreck when the vessel was located. It is impossible to state at present whether any real hope can be entertained, for the saving of the men still below. There is a faint hope that they may be in the air-tight compartment, but the suddenness of the collision does not encourage this supposition. The First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr. A. V. Alexander, in a statement in the House of Commons, said the Commander-in-Ghiof in China, who had proceeded to Wei-hai-wai, had reported that the total number who were saved and are still alive is five officers and .10 men. Two more ratings who came to the surface have died, and IS are missing. All the survivors were picked up by the Yuta shortly after the collision, with the exception of the six ratings who escaped from the wreck by means of the escape apparatus. Of these, two subsequently died and one is in a critical condition. These men were in the fire compartment of the submarine when she was sunk. Mr. Alexander was sure all members of the House of Commons would wish to associate themselves with the message of heartfelt sympathy which the Admiralty have sent to the bereaved relatives.