PORTSMOUTH EXPLOSION MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO SABOTAGE

Wanganui Chronicle, 20 July 1950, Page 5

PORTSMOUTH EXPLOSION MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO SABOTAGE

Evidence Of Other Suspicious Acts On His Majesty's Ships

LONDON, July 19 (Reed. 6 p.m.)—Further evidence which has come to light raises the possibility that the explosion in a naval ammunition lighter at Bedenham Pier, Portsmouth Harbour, on July 14, may have been due to sabotage.

This statement was made by the admiral commanding Portsmouth, Sir Algernon Willis, when a special naval board -of inquiry met to investigate the eaure of the explosion. Several hundreds of claims have already been made against the Admiralty by residents and shopkeepers who suffered damage to property as the result of the explosion. Authority has been given for these claims to be paid immediately. Much of the ammunition involved in the Portsmouth explosion was to be shipped to Korea for use by British warships engaged there. Vernon Brown, in the “News Chronicle.” says MI 5 is investigating three other cases of suspected sabotage in Royal naval vessels, all of which occurred shortly before the Portsmouth explosion. The last two concern damage caused to destroyers in Devon port and the third damage to a destroyer while at sea In addition to these cases MI 5 has

already investigated several other incidents in naval vessels at Devonport. These include the discovery of sand in the machinery of 'the submarine Tallvho. the secreting of signal flares in the boiler room of the aircraftcarrier Illustrious, the blocking of oil pipes of the submarine Trenchant, which were found to-be stuffed with rag and the discovery of six steel bolts lin the gearbox of H.M.S. Sydney.— Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A,