L12 HAS HARROW ESCAPE

Taranaki Daily News, 12 July 1929, Page 11

L12 HAS HARROW ESCAPE

WAS DRAGGED 40FT. DOWN DRAMATIC STORY OF CRASH H 47 CHASING OWN CLASS By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. . Australian Press Association.. Received July 11, 7 p.m. United Service.. London, July 10. It is learned that the submarine H 47 developed engine trouble during the return journey from Lamlakh and fell behind the leading section of the II flotilla. It was' approaching the Pembrokeshire coast before the trouble wag, remedied and then proceeded at- full speed to regain its place. The collision with', the Ll2 occurred when the 1147 was passing the flotilla of L sumbarines.

The H 47 was ripped right along its side and sank like a stone owing to the sudden inrush of water.

A survivor on Ll2 dramatically pictures the scene after the collision. He said: “There was a terrific bang, and we were all flung down as Ll2 dived at an impossible angle. Fumes began to rise from the acid tanks, but every man sprang to his feet and carried out the commander’s orders. It seemed years to me, but it could have only been seconds before the commander, by superb seamanship, brought Ll2 to the surface.”

Experts say that when H 47 sank the acid tanks would upset, instantaneously killing the crew. Bad weather to-day hindered the search for the-sunken submarine, which is now realised as the grave of 22 gallant men.

NO ANSWERING SIGNAL.

Professor Leonard Hill, who is assisting in the rescue. work of H 47, dived nearby the sunken submarine and tried to communicate by using a bell, but there were no answering signals. The Admiralty statement indicates that Ll2 also had a most narrow escape. The two submarines were cruising on the surface when Ll2 • struck H 47 on the port side at right’ angles, penetrating two feet. H 47 sank in a few seconds and Ll2 was carried down 49 feet at an angle of 50 degrees, bow down. The captain, officers and men on deck were thrown into the water. A considerable amount of water entered the submarine before the hatches were closed and it was able to rise to the surface. Tho rear-admiral commanding submarines, who proceeded from Pembroke to the position in which the submarine H 47 was sunk, has issued a preliminary report which states that both H 47 and Ll2 were cruising on the surface at 8.10 a.m. when the collision occurred. Ll2 struck H 47 on the port side just abaft the foremost control room bulkhead.

H 47 sank in a few seconds, considerably down by the bow, in a depth of 55 fathoms. Orders had been given to close the watertight doors and abandon the ship. From the evidence of the ctommanding officer and of the rating who escaped’from the control room it does not appear that the doors could ■have been closed at the time. “I am convinced,” the admiral adds, “that there is no possibility of any .of the crew of H 47 having remained alive for more than a very few minutes. Submarine L 69 dived to-day to try to communicate with H 47 by sound telegraphy, but received no answering signals. Diver Bell, a very experienced deep-sea diver, has been taken off the battle-cruiser Renown by the destroyer Torrid, but the sea is rough and unsuitable for diving operations. In any case, the depth of 3Ooft at which H 47 lies makes it doubtful if a diver could reach it.” The petty officer who was saved from H 47 was shot off by the force of the collision and as he sank grasped a stay wire of Ll2. Although carried down several fathoms he was still hanging on when Ll2 returned to the surface. The King sent an expression of his deep grief at the disaster to the Admiralty and conveys his heartfelt sympathy 'to the relatives of the 24 dead.