NAVAL TRAGEDY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22909, 11 December 1937, Page 17

NAVAL TRAGEDY

CAPSIZE OP GALLEY TRANSMISSION OF MESSAGE HARBOURMASTER'S STATEMENT The alleged delay in transmitting a message that a galley was in difficulties off Karaka Bay on September 30, which was mentioned at the inquest on Thursday into the death of three naval ratings who were drowned following the capsize of the boat, was tho subject of comment by the harbourmaster, Captain H. H. Sergeant, yesterday. He said the statements required correction. "It is my intention to communicate with the commander of H.M.S. Achilles with reference to the statement made in evidence that the message from Mrs. H. H. Partridge, of St. Heliers, about the capsize of the boat was received by the naval authorities at 3.30 p.m. I know, as a fact, that the first message from Mrs. Partridge was sent to the Navy at approximately 2.30, not 3.30 p.m. I know, because I sent on the message myself by telephone." . Captain Sex-geant said that after he had sent the first advice there were other messages, numbering about three. Ho sent tho first message at approximately 2.30, and the other two were despatched immediately following their receipt. Each time ho telephoned, the Navy assured him that boats had been sent to the scene of the capsize.

"I feel that I should have been at the inquest," Captain Sergeant added. "In fairness to myself, I must ask for a correct statement of the facts."