SUBMARINE DISASTER

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7139, 28 May 1910, Page 5

SUBMARINE DISASTER

FRENCH BOAT- SUNK CHEW OF TWENTY-SEVEN ALL DROWNED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. ' FAKiS, May 28,

A Trench submarine, the Piuviose, collided with the South Eastern Kailway Company's steamer Pas de Calais in the Channel.

The submarine sank, and the.crow, consisting of twenty-seven officers and men (including Captain Prat and two brother officers from the Calais submarine station), were drowned.

The weather was fine, and the atmosphere clear, at the time of the collision.

After the impact the Pluvioso was not seen again.

Five French torpedo-boats have commenced dragging operations. The Pas de Calais had '2SO passengers on board. Her bows were badly damaged, and she was obliged to return to Calais. j

Tho Piuviose, a. vessel of 391 tons, with twin steam engines of 700 horse power and two electric motors of 440 horse power, made 11.7 knots an hour during her surface trials. Tho under water sneod was 7* knots. She was armed with seven torpedoes. RESCUE EFFORTS FAIL. SUPPOSED ACCIDENT TO NAPHTHA RESERVOIR. , (Received May 27, 0.45 p.m.) LONDON, May 27. The Pluvioso was rising from a dive when she struck tho Pas do Calais. Sho floated for ten minutes, with nine loot of the how end above water. A boat was launched from the steamer, and men boarded the submarine, and knocked on the deck plates, but received no reply. Tho Pluvioso then sank. There are indications that tho submarine's naphtha reservoir burst, as spirit was seen bubbling and eddying on tho surface of tho sea.

A- DIVER’Si REPORT. CREW BELIEVED TO HAVE DIED INSTANTLY. (Received May 27, 10.10 p.m.) LONDON, May 27. A diver found that the' Pluvioso was badly holed aft, and was full of water. He knocked at the bow compartment, but received no response. . Experts consider the crew perished instantly.