CHINA SEA DISASTER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21358, 11 June 1931, Page 9

CHINA SEA DISASTER

BRITISH SUBMARINE SUNK RAMMED BY MERCHANT VESSEL NUMBER OF LIVES LOST (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, June 9. The Admiralty officially announces that the submarine Poseidon was sunk in a collision near Weihaiwei. Five officers and 24 men were saved. Two men are dead and 18 are missing. WARSHIPS ON THE SCENE. FEW DETAILS AVAILABLE. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, June 9. The Poseidon was lost 21 miles north of Weihaiwei, at 12.45 p.m. His Majesty’s ships Berwick, Cumberland, and Hermes are on the scene of the collision. Of the men previously reported saved, two ratings have since died. Few details are at present available, but it appears that the Poseidon was rammed by a Chinese merchant vessel named the Yuta, The Poseidon was one of the latest and largest submarines, her tonnage being 1475. She carried one 4in gun. She was commissioned at Barrow-in-Furness last year, and joined , the Fourth Submarine Flotilla on the China station in February. TWENTY-EIGHT MEN RESCUED. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, June 9. Later information states that four more men were picked up, making the total of the rescued 28, of whom one is reported to be in a critical condition. Diving operations are in progress. The submarine has not so far been located. In addition to the vessels already mentioned, others, including the submarine parent ship Medway, the destroyer Storm Cloud, the sloop Marzion, and the tug St. Breoc are at the scene of the disaster. The Poseidon was commanded by Lieu-tenant-commander B. W. Galpin, the other officers being Lieutenants C. W. Greening, T. W. Fisher, R. T. Shaw, and Commissioned-engineer W. C. Edwards. ROYALTY’S DEEP SYMPATHY. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, June 9. The King sent to the Comraiindcrs-in-Chief at Portsmouth, Plymouth, and the Nore a message conveying his and the Queen’s deep sympathy with the families of those who are missing. SEVENTH DISASTER SINCE WAR. LONDON, June 10. (Received June 10, at 10 p.m.) The sinking of the Poseidon is the seventh British submarine disaster since the war, involving 244 lives.

The Poseidon, with the Pandora, the Perseus, and the Porteus, sailed unescorted from Portsmouth on December 12 for Hongkong to form the Fourth Submarine Flotilla on the China station in place of the L class vessels, which were withdrawn from service. The four sb ! ps cost £1,234,499.