ABSENCE OF PANIC

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23829, 8 June 1939, Page 11

ABSENCE OF PANIC

SUBMARINE VICTIMS LAST TERRIBLE MOMENTS SURVIVOR’S EXPERIENCE (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, June 6. A Thetis survivor, Leading Stoker W. E. Arnold, relating his experiences, said that when he was released there was something amiss. There was shouting. “People shouted from the control room, ‘Surface,’ scrambling from that department, and then from the second department into the accommodation space,” he said. “ We could not shut the door for a few seconds owing to the angle of the boat, but eventually managed it. The Thetis was then hanging at the steepest angle ever known. No water came into the third chamber. There was no panic and no thought of disaster. All were calm and confident. We joked and felt sure that we would get to the top within a few hours.” Arnold said: “ I would like to say a word for the poor men down there now. Although there was all that brain down there, everyone was given a chance to express an opinion. There was no argument between the experts and the lower deck. It just began as talk and everyone joined in. All the suggestions were studied and it was decided that Lieutenant - commander Oram and Lieutenant Woods should try to get out. They went into the chamber and went away. Then Shaw and I decided to make a bid, and we felt sure that all would follow. I cannot say how I felt when they did not do so.” Arnold said that everyone—officers, men and civilians —were the same down below. There could not be a finer crowd anywhere. When told that Shaw credited him with saving his life Arnold replied: “I instructed him. I did my duty the same as everyone would have done.” When asked about the condition of the air, Arnold said it was indescribable. He added that there were lights in the Thetis until the time he left. PROGRESS OF SALVAGE AN EARLY TRIAL LIFT (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, June 6. Earl Stanhope (First Lord of the Admiralty), in the House of Lords, said “ camels ” had now been secured to the Thetis by a 3iin wire rope to the ball ring at the stern and by another wire to the bow cable, and three lifting wires had been placed under the submarine. “If the fine weather continues it is considered possible that a trial lift may be made in about 48 hours.” he said. Earl Stanhope observed that survivors’ reports showed that the bearing of the officers and men In the Thetis during the terrible period from the time of the accident was of the highest order and in accordance with the best traditions of the service, while the behaviour of all civilians on board was of an equally high standard. “ I was at Devonport when the disaster occurred and was in close touch with the Commander-in-Chief at Plymouth, who was responsible for initiating action. The public do not fully appreciate the effect of strong tides causing difficulty in the divers’ work, and the sharp angle of the submarine, which turned the accident into a disaster.” MEMORIAL SERVICE AT SEA WEEPING RELATIVES (Independent Cable Service) LONDON, June 7. (Received June 8, at 1.30 a.m.) With her decks piled high with flowers and crowded with weeping relatives the Hebe, which was accompanied by the minesweeper Seagull, also flower-laden, put to sea for a memorial service on the spot where the Thetis sank. Many relatives, unable to face the poignant ordeal, remained ashore and attended church services.

Two thousand of Cammell, Laird’s employees attended a service at Birkenhead. The service aboard the Hebe will be conducted by a naval chaplain. RELIEF FUNDS OPENED LORD NUFFIELD GIVES £SOOO LONDON, June 6. Cammell, Laird and Co. have subscribed £SOOO to the Thetis f und. Relief funds have been opened by the Mayor of Capetown and the Lord Mayor of Melbourne. The King sent £IOO, the Queen £SO, aid Lord Nuffield £SOOO to the Thetis fund. RELIEF OF DEPENDENTS WELLINGTON FUND OPENED (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 7. Following the receipt to-day of a cable message from the Lord Mayor of London, the Mayor of Wellington (Mr T. C. A, Hislop) has opened a fund for the benefit of the dependents of the men lost in the submarine.