SUNKEN SUBMARINE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23831, 10 June 1939, Page 13

SUNKEN SUBMARINE

PROGRESS OF SALVAGE WORK EXPERTS CONFERRING LONDON, June 9. The Controller of the Navy Is going to Birkenhead to confer with experts with regard to the next step in salvaging the Thetis. The Press Association stated that the advisability of leaving the Thetis on the sea-bed was under consideration, but Lord Stanhope, in the Hous of Lords, said there was no authority for the suggestion that the Thetis may be abandoned. Mr Chamberlain, in the House of Commons, announced that,Mr Justice Bucknill will preside at tne Thetis inquiry. The flooding oi the submarine is thought to. be more extensive than was expected, with' consequent losa of buoyancy, necessitating more powerful lifting gear. . A survivor, Arnold, volunteered to be the first to enter the Thetis after salvage. All the plant has beett temporarily withdrawn from the scene of the wreck because of the necessity to manufacture heavier salvage cables, which probably means a week's delay. A FURTHER REVELATION FIRE HASTENED END (Independent Cable Service) LONDON, June 9. (Received June 10, at 1.30 a.m.) Rear-admiral Bruce, who arrived at Liverpool to attend the conference on the Thetis salvage work, revealed that a fire broke out just before the last survivors escaped, and probably hastened the end of the trapped men. He stated that the fire was started electrically. Smoke was clearly visible in the compartment housing the Davis escape chamber. He said the engines worked to operate the Davis apparatus,: but alter* three dead men were pulled back into the submarine the chamber was emptied by opening the inner hatch and allowing the water to pour in. The water did not escaped through normal channels because'of the steep angle; instead it trickled into the engine room and dripped into the engines, starting the fire.