OFFICER’S STORY

Timaru Herald, Volume CL, Issue 22043, 16 August 1941, Page 4

OFFICER’S STORY

Sinking Of Minesweeper CORONER CONCLUDES INQUIRY (PA.) AUCKLAND. August 15. That the men lost their lives through RMS Puriri. in which they were serving, striking a mine in the Hauraki Gulf was the verdict returned by the Coroner <Mr F. K. Hunt) at an inquest to-day into the deaths of five members of the crew of Puriri. killed either by the explosion or by drowning on May 14 while engaged in minesweeping. approximately eight and a half miles north-east of Whangarei Heads. They were: Douglas William Blacklaws. aged 37. navai lieutenant, married, of Herne Bay; Bamdt August Mattson, aged 30. a stoker petty officer, single, of Whenuapal; Leon Purkin. aged 27, an able seaman, single, of the Putaruru district; John Richardson, aged 31, a steward, single, with no relatives in New Zealand; George Edward Roy Hobley, a steward, married, of Sandringham. Auckland. Officer’s Evidence Lieutenant Arthur Holmwood Hyde gave evidence that he was an officer in the Puriri on May 14. About 11 a.m. the vessel struck a mine and sank within two or three minutes. Lieutenant Blacklaws was on the bridge and was carried away by the blast. He was last seen falling into the sea among stone ballast and other debris. Mattson was in his cabin, on watch below, and no doubt was killed in his bunk. Purkin was washing his hands in the fo'castle and must have been killed instantly. Richardson and Hobley were working in the ward room or pantry, both of which w’ere wrecked, and death would have been instantaneous. Immediately the Puriri sank boats were lowered from HMB. Gale, which was engaged in minesweeping with the Puriri. and an extensive search was made for survivors, but none could be found. Since the sinking, a search of the waters and coast had been made by naval patrols, the police, launch-men. and settlers, but no trace of the bodies had been found.