OFFICER GUILTY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22047, 1 March 1935, Page 9

OFFICER GUILTY

COLLISION OF VESSELS COURT-MARTIAL VERDICT DISMISSAL FROM SHIP RECENT NAVAL MANOEUVRES By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright British Wireless RUGBY, Feb. 27 The second of the three courtsmartial arising out of the collision between the battle-cruisers Hood and Renown off the coast of Spain on January 23, took place at Portsmouth to-day. The defendant was Captain Henry Sawbridge, who was charged with negligently, and by default, hazarding the Renown, of which he was commanding officer.

He was found guilty and sentenced to be dismissed his ship. As a result of the sentence ho will be placed on halfpay immediately. No appeal is allowable, the Lords of the Admiralty alone being empowered to alter the decision. Captain Sawbridge gave evidence that ho was satisfied the manoeuvre was being executed. As he understood the original instructions he expected the Hood to turn when 1800 yards distant. Although the Hood had ample room he took tho precaution, by turning the Renown out. The Hood could have avoided a collision but stood on iier course, whereupon he went astern. The ships touched as the Renown was gathering sternway. Rear-Admiral R. S. Bailey, in command of the battle-cruiser squadron, gave evidence that he never proposed to the Renown's captain that the Hood should turn in order to facilitate the Renown's movements. He would not expect the flagship, guiding a mixed force, to alter course. The Court deliberated for 90 minutes, after which the public was readmitted. They saw Captain Sawbridge's sword on the table significantly pointing to his place, indicating that he was guilty. The Court held that Captain Sawbridge had hazarded his ship by continuing on his course at 12 knots until the risk of collision was present, and that he subsequently failed to act effectively to prevent a collision. Captain Sawbridge was a member of Earl JeLiicoe's staff on H.M.S. New Zealand on the Dominion cruise in 1919

At a court-martial arising out of the same incident, and held ou Tuesday, Rear-Admiral Bailey was charged with hazarding the ships negligently or by default. He was found not guilty. Ca]>tain Tower, of the Hood ; which is RearAdmiral Bailey's flagship, has still to be court-martialJed. CAPTAIN'S CAREER NEW ZEALAND VISIT APPOINTMENT AT ADMIRALTY Captain Sawbridge held the rank of commander when he visited New Zealand on H.M.S.* New Zealand in 1919, during Lord Jellicoe's Imperial cruise. He was promoted to the rank of captain in 1924. In 1928 and 1929 he had command of H.M.S. Comus in the Second Cruiser Squadron, Home Fleet. At the same tinw Captain Tower was captain of H.M.S. Vindictive, flagship of the squadron. In 1930 and 1931 Captain Sawbridge was in charge of H.M.S. Sussex, First Cruiser Squadron, Mediterranean Fleet. In 1933 lie was appointed Director of Torpedoes and Mines at the Admiralty.