US. AIRCRAFT-TENDER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 80, 6 April 1942, Page 5

US. AIRCRAFT-TENDER

SUNK SOUTH OF JAVA THREE TIMES CLAIMED BY JAPANESE. (Reed. 7.5 p.m.) Washington, April 3. A Navy Department communique says the United States aircraft-tender Langley, the naval tanker Pecos, and the destroyer Peary were sunk by enemy action in the vicinity of Northern Australia and the waters south of Java late in February or early in March. A number of survivors were rescued. Official Tokio reports falsely claimed the sinking of the Langley at least three times during the first month of the war. The Langley was sunk after a prolonged enemy attack south of Java late in February. All the personnel except for a dozen men survived and were transferred to the which was sunk a few days later. The Peary was sunk in Darwin Harbour about February 19. Observers said the conduct of her crew in the last engagement was beyond all praise. The gun crews remained at their stations, continuing to fire until forced by the rising water to abandon stations. A number of survivors were later rescued. Commander Robert McConnell, of the Langley, and Commander Elmer Abernethy, of the Pecos, were rescued, but Lieut.-Commander John Bermingham, of the Peary, was killed. The loss of life aboard the Langley, Peary and Pecos is unofficially estimated at 700. The Navy Department has not revealed the number of casualties but the normal complements of the three ships was 1156 officers and men.