Under Polar Ice

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 89, 24 March 1931, Page 6

Under Polar Ice

SIR H. WILKINS' VENTURE

TRAGEDY MARS PREPARATION

NEW YOKIv, March 22

Tragedy overhung Sir Hubert Wilkins' submarine Nautilus as it enteral New York harbour from Clayton, Delaware.

In a manner still not clearly explained, the ship's quartermaster, Mr Willard Grimmer felt overboard ami was lost in the swift currents, despite •■ lengthy search by boats, police and mm nplaiica. .Mr Grimmer, a former naval radio man went to Philadelphia, a month ago to join the expedition. Two weeks ago he married a girl he met there. Mr Danenhower stated that the trip has proved the Nautilus seaworthy, although she arrived under tow of a tug in order to provide the crew with refit and render the trip economical. Lady Wilkins will christen the vessel on Tuesday at Brooklyn naval yard, after which submerging tests will be made and additional equipment will be installed before proceeding to Halifax for trials under the ice. More Misfortune A further mishap was revealed when it was reported that the submarine's anchor chain parted and the anchor dropped in deep water off Yareushook and" was recovered only aftej a lengthy dclny.