SEAMAN'S ALLEGATION

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17436, 7 April 1931, Page 11

SEAMAN'S ALLEGATION

SEQUEL TO EVIDENCE DISCHARGED: NO EXPLANATION PLYMOUTH, Feb. 25, It became known here to-day that Leading Seaman William John Carter, of Plymouth, who until January 27 was one of the crew of H.M.S. Lucia, has been discharged from the Royal Navy. H.M.S. Lucia is the submarine depot ship on which occurred a recent "incident." leading to courts-martial on oeis lain members of the. crew, and subsequent disciplinary action by the Admiralty against some of her officers. Carter's discharge papers show his character as "very good." He joined the Naw on April 12, 1915, as a boy, reengaged in May, 1928, and had still seven years to serve to qualify for a pension' of about 30s a week. The. portion of the papers which is detached when a man is dismissed for misconduct has not been removed, and the last entry reads, "Ad. letter N.L. 279 of 27 Jaii., 1931—Services no longer required." In an interview to.-d.ay, Carter said: "I am at a loss to understand the reason for my dismissal, and I am making every' effort to secure either compensation' pension or reinstatement. At present I air. on the dole. LETTER READ TO HIM "On January 27 1 was called before an officer, whose name I do not know, but he is the navigator of the Lucia. A letter was read to mo, and, so far as I can remember, the important phrase in. it had something to do with the, evidence at the court of inquiry into the incidents cm H.M.S. Lucia. "I think I should either be courtmart ialled. if there is any reason for it, or given some explanation for my dismissal. "I was on board the Lucia when the (rouble occurred, and I fell in on deck with the remainder of the petty officers and leading seamen when the men locked themselves below. "At the Court of Inquiry I was asked if 1 knew anything about, it, and replied, 'Certainly not.' I was asked where I was at the time, and replied that 1" was in the canteen with two other leading seamen. These two men were called."