LAUNCH TRAGEDY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25560, 13 June 1944, Page 4

LAUNCH TRAGEDY

LYTTELTON FISHERMEN’S VIEWS

Regret that no naval vessel had been despatched to the disabled trawler Hope after it had been located by aircraft off Lake Ellesmere was expressed in a resolution passed at a meeting of fishermen held at Lyttelton on Saturday morning. “We extend to the relatives and dependents of our late comrades our deepest sympathy in their sad loss, and wish to place on record our appreciation of the assistance rendered by the air force and our fellow fishermen at Timaru,” the resolution added.

Strong comment was made on the contention that “ had some of the larger vessels been despatched to the rescue of the Hope, the lives of the two fishermen might have been saved. : ’ Attention was drawn to the fact that all fishermen and their craft had enlisted, almost from the commencement of the war, for rescue work, and had been called on to render assistance.

It was stated that Mr S. Bensley, one of the victims, had seen service in the merchant navy, and was one of the few survivors from a merchant ship which was torpedoed during the present war.

“No available vessel could have reached the position in time to have rendered assistance, considering the time at which the Navy Office received advice,” said Commander T. S. Critchley, Naval Officer in Charge, Lyttelton, when asked to comment on the fishermen’s resolution.