SINKING OF SUBMARINE

Taranaki Daily News, 29 July 1929, Page 9

SINKING OF SUBMARINE

LOSS OF TWENTY-ONE LIVES

OFFICER DECLARED.GUILTY

DISMISSED FROM THE SHIP

By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright, Australian Press Association.

United Service. London, July 26. Whether or not all important verbal messages were delivered to the captain of the submarine Ll2 a few minutes before* the collision on July 9 had to be decided by- a court-martial on Lieutenant Claud Keen, navigating officer of Ll2, who was charged with having caused a collision by failing to avoid 1147 and altering bis course without warning the commander of H 47. Giving evidence, Commander Oram said he was positive he did not receive, the following message from the bridge: “H 47 crossing our bow. Can we slow down I”

The signalman gave evidence that he heard the message passed below through the speaking tube. Seaman Rogers gave evidence of taking the message. He passed it on to Commander Oram, who nodded assent. Lieutenant Wise, who was with Lieutenant Claud Keen on the bridge of Ll2, deposed that Keen sent the.message down the voice-pipe.

The Court found Keen guilty-, dismissed him from the ship, and severely reprimanded him. The British submarine H 47 was sunk off Pembrokeshire by submarine LI2 with the loss of 21 lives. The disaster occurred ill St. George’s Channel, between England and Ireland, 12 miles north-west of St. Davids Head, Pembrokeshire. The H 47, which was launched in 1918, was attached to the sixth submarine flotilla. It was acting as tender to the depot-ship Vulcan. Its officers included Lieut.-Commander Gardner, who was saved, Lieut. R. W. Moir and Sub-Lieut. R. G. Cronin. The survivors are Lieut.-Commander Gardner and the telegraphist of H 47.