THE SUBMARINE DISASTER.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIIC, Issue 14211, 30 May 1910, Page 5

THE SUBMARINE DISASTER.

A PRECAUTION NEGLECTED. NO HOPE FOR THE CREW. Ptcss Assoeiation-By Telegraph-Copyright PARIS, May 27. Since the disasters to the Fanfadct and Lutin. 1- rench submarines have been fitted with buckles, and it is suggested that the Pas de Calais should have immediately attached a hawsor to the buckle to prevent the boat sinking. Admiral Peyrere, .Minister of Marine, who has personally investigated me disaster, states that the i'luvoise rose to the surface, owing to the commander's supreme but fruitless efforts to right the vessel, which was filling rapidly. It is impossible that the crew can now be alive. A strong current running parallel to the coast, carried the submarine within the mail steamers' daily track. .! he currents are still impeding the divers. Moreover., the Calais tu-s are not powerful enough for the work, and the arrival of tugs from Cherbourg is being awaited. The latest descents of divers failed to locate the Pluvoise owing to a strong current. HOW THE DISASTER HAPPENED. The commander of the steamer Pas de Caniis states that he saw the periscope of the submarine fifteen yards ahead, and reversed Ins engines and altered his course without avail. The mo\ e incuts of the Pluvoise showed that her crew wore endeavouring to get the \essel on an even keel. One divei 1 afin ms that he heard a knocking, and believes the crew is within the watertight compartment, in which there is air siiif:c:ent tor tlurtv hours.

King George sent M. Fallieres, the I' rench President, his sympathy in the disaster to the Pluvoise. EMPHATIC DENIAL. received 5 p.m., Slay 29th. PARIS, May 28. An emphatic denial is given to the statement that the crow of the Pluvoise answered the knocking, or that calls for help wero heard. The submarine Circe, off Toulon, was ris.ng to the surface when she narrowly escaped being cut in halves by the guardship Admiral Trehouart. LTEFTENANT'S EXPERIENCE. Tiie newspapers are publishing the full text from Japanese newspapers <>f a letter written by the lieutenant of the Japanese submarine which sank during manoeuvres reeentlv.