LOSS OF BRITISH SUBMARINE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 19095, 29 January 1932, Page 7

LOSS OF BRITISH SUBMARINE.

FEARS FOR SAFETY OF CREW HAS SUNKEN VESSEL BEEN LOCATED? British Official Wireless (Received January 28, 5.5 p.m.) RUGBY, January 27. Although hope has not been entirely abandoned, the greatest fears are entertained regarding the fate of the > 56 officers and men of submarine M2. | Numerous naval and air-craft have been continuously searching the area, I but so far the vessel has not been definitely located, although several unchartered obstructions, possibly old wrecks, have been encountered. M2 was equipped with an aeroplane, and two members of the air force are among the missing men. Search Continues. A message from Portland states: The search is being continued for M2 by H.M.S. Tedworth, with deep sea diving appliances, and extra divers operating. It is stated that unless the oxygen reservoirs are out of action, it is possible that the crew will survive for two or three days. What the Captain Saw. The British United Press representative at Gravelines in France interviewed Captain Howard, master of the Tynesider. who telephoning the Ad- j miralty, says: We saw submarine Mark 2. Some minutes later we saw the submarine with an end down at an angle of 45 degrees. It then dived into the sea, eight miles north-west-horth of Portland Bill, two and a half miles from the shore. We were the only boat near. Earlier Messages. Though it is not confirmed by the Admiralty, the “Evening Standard’s” special Weymouth correspondent says two destroyers have located the sunken submarine M2, to which the salvage vessels are hurrying. The correspondent asserts that the submarine has not answered signals. The Admiralty announced at 1.30 p.m. this afternoon that there was no communication with the submarine. Great anxiety is therefore felt for the safety of the crew. The Admiralty insists that M2 has not been found, but the “Evening Standard” declares that the mothership Adamant has wirelessed Portland dockyard: “Have definitely located M2. Am surrounding the position and will send divers down.” Six officers and 50 men are aboard, including Able Seamen Thomas and Morris, survivors of the Poseidon disaster last year. ALL HOPE ABANDONED. SUBMARINE NOT DEFINITELY . LOCATED. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, January 28. The search has shifted to the spot where Captain Howard saw the submarine disappear, but hope has now been abandoned, as the oxygen will be exhausted by now. Diving was continued all night, but the under-current prevented the men reaching the located obstacle. The skipper of the coasting steamer Tynesider, who was in the vicinity yesterday, says he believes he saw the submarine diving in a strange fashion. It seemed to be “stem first.” Naval authorities are slowly coming to the conclusion that there may have been an explosion aboard, in which case the men must have been immediately suffocated. Tire serious view the Admiralty has taken is shown in the fact that officers have been sent to visit the men’s wives and tell them that they should not build hopes that their husbands will be found alive.