NAVAL COURT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22046, 28 February 1935, Page 11

NAVAL COURT

SEQUEL ADMIRAL ACQUITTED RENOWN AND HOOD MOVEMENTS DESCRIBED INCIDENT OFF SPAIN By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received February 27. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 26 Arising out of the collision of the Renown and the Hood off the coast of Spain during Navy manoeuvres, Rear-Admiral S. R. Bailey, officer commanding the battle-cruiser squadron, was court-martialled today. He was charged with hazarding the ships negligently or by default. The president of the Court was ViceAdmiral Astley Rushton, commanding the reserve fleet. .Captain Tower, of the Hood, which is Rear-Admiral Bailey's flagship, and Captain Sawbridge, of the Renown, also involved in the collision, have still to be court-martialled.

A gun fired from, the naval saluting battery and a flag hoisted on Nelson's Victory heralded the court-martial, which was held at Portsmouth. A guard of seamen, with a band, received the admirals with due honours. Case for Prosecution liear-Admiral Troup, prosecuting, said Rear-Admiral Bailey ordered the Hood and Renown to carry out an inclination exercise, after which the Renown should have taken station astern of the Hood. When the signal was made to form " line ahead," the Renown was slightly ahead of the Hood. Rear-Admiral Bailey was to blame because he did not take action to prevent the development of a situation in. which there was risk of collision. Captain Sawbridge, commanding the Renown, said he received the order to form " line ahead " when the ships were 300 yards apart, whereupon he ordered the engines astern. The Renown was not moving at the moment of the collision. He expected that the Hood, when it had not made any further signal, would put over the wheel and bring the Renown astern. Captain Tower, commanding the Hood, said the ships were 1500 yards apart when the " line ahead " signal was made. There was ample room for the execution of the order. Demonstration with Models Rear-Admiral Bailey demonstrated the position of the ships with models. His evidence was that he gave no further signal because it was important to eliminate redundant signals. He expressed the opinion that the Renown's closing was because of reluctance to lose bearing before it was necessary. There was no reason to suppose she would not follow the usual procedure as twice recently carried out.

i "My impression was that she was manoeuvring badly," he said. " I could not expect the flagship, which was directing the squadron, to make way for her. I have captained the Renown and know she is a handy ship. •' I have since thought over the question of another signal being given, but I could think of none except taking over command of the Renown myself." The Court deliberated for one and a-half hours. When it reopened, RearAdmiral Bailey, on entering, saw his sword hilt facing hint, indicating acquittal. He was found not guilty. Captain Sawbridge will be courtmartialled to-morrow.