“HOODOO” SHIP

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20927, 5 January 1938, Page 14

“HOODOO” SHIP

CHAIN OF ACCIDENTS LONDON. December 10. Twelve months of accidents, some fatal, and a series of inexplicable mechanical defects, have led the men of the aircraft carrier Furious to call their ship “Hoodoo.” After the present overhaul it was intended for Furious to sail for the Mediterranean in January, but owing to the discovery of serious mechanical defects the sailing has been postponed until March. Experts have informed the Admiralty that unless the engine seats are renewed the ship may not return under her own power for her next trip. But it is largely on account of the following accidents that men call Furious a hoodoo ship: In January a mysterious fire broke out in the boiler room only 30 yards from the bomb store No cause was revealed In September mysterious engine trouble developed as the ship left Devonport. and the Furious lay anchored off Plymouth for 24 hours while investigations were made. Then followed the death of a flightlieutenant who nose-dived while formation flying off the Firth of Forth. When the ship returned to Devonport in November. 14 cases of sickness were reported in a few days. Then came news of a theft which kept dockyard detectives searching kit lockers for some days.