Seaman Damaged Cruiser’s Radar

Northern Advocate, 19 July 1949, Page 4

Seaman Damaged Cruiser’s Radar

AUCKLAND, Tuc. (P.A.1.-Charges that a naval rating had wilfully damaged three radar sets and other radar equipment on HMNZS Bcltona on .June 13 were the subject- of a naval court martial at Dcvonport naval base yesterday.

'Accused. Able Seaman Thomas Edward. Hcenan, 21, of HMNZS Bellona, denied six charges, three of wilfully damaging radar gels, two of wastefiilly expending cathode ra.v tubes and one Cossor double beam oscillator, and one of being in the radar office without, lawful excuse. Hcenan was found guilty and sentenced to Ifi months' imprisonment and dismissed from His Majesty's service. Lieutenant. J. P. Tulloch. navigating officer of HMNZS Bellona, slated that, shortly after 2 p.m. on June 13, while the ship was refitting in dock at Devimport, he was working in his cabin when he heard the noise of hammering and breaking glass. Investigating, he found No. 2 radar office in darkness, but. the door of Ho. 3 office was open, the lights on, there was a lot. of broken glass on the deck and instruments and equipment were damaged. Opening the door of No. *1 radar office, witness saw accused with his left hand on a rheostat switch and with a hammer in his right hand. “NOT DRUNK’’

On being asked what he was doing, accused said he was taking a piece of equipment from this radar compartment to the plotting office. His manner was not abnormal, but he seemed to have some difficulty in understanding and answering questions. Witness formed the impression that he was not drunk but had taken drink. Witness said he revisited No. 2 and No. 3 offices and when he returned to No. -1 office lie found accused had left. He then went back to No. 2 office, where he discovered accused about to leave.

He ordered him to report to the officer of the watch. Lieutenant G. M. Holden, RNZN, who was officer of the watch in the cruiser on June 13 said accused was sober when lie, saw him shortly after the incident.

Some time previously accused had requested a transfer from the seamen’s to the electrical branch and lie had appeared very disappointed when lie was told that the chances were negligible. MENTALLY RESPONSIBLE Dr G. B. Palmer, honorary consultant pyschialrist to the Royal New Zealand Navy, stated that when he examined accused on June 16 he did not find him other than a mentally responsible person. Surgeon-Lieutenant Commander G. M. Baird. R.N.,. stated that when he examined accused at 4.30 p.m. on June 13 he smelt of alcohol, but he was not drank. His condition was rather one of recovering from alcoholism, and he agreed that two hours earlier lie could have been much worse than at the time of the examination.

Giving evidence on his own behalf accused said that after working in No. 2 radar office during the morning he drank his own tot of rum and another three or four that were given to him bv fellow-ratings.-

He did not remember parading after lunch.

"I recall going to No. 2 radar office, but there were no lights and 1 went to No. 3 office.” accused continued.

"I found a hammer there. The next thing I remember was being in No. 4 office and Lieutenant Tulloch speaking to me. I have no idea of how I entered this office.” HAPPY IN SERVICE

Accused said lie had no knowledge oj doing any damage. He had no resentment against the sendee and, except for worry over housing for His family, he was happy in the Navy.

Three ratings of HMNZS Bellona, Able-Seaman Neville Edward Luke, Ablc-Scaman Peter James Smith and Electrician's Mate James George Smith, stated that when they saw accused after dinner on June 13 he was “very drunk.”

They considered that, in view of accused's interest in radar equipment, lie .would not be likely to cause damage to it.

The court returned its decision after an hour’s retirement.