NAVAL DISASTER.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14194, 19 January 1914, Page 5

NAVAL DISASTER.

BRITISH SUBMARINE LOST. Press Association—Telegraph—Copyright). ELEVEN LIVES LO^f. Press Association—^Telegraph— Copyright. LONDON, January 17 During manoeuvres, the submarine A 7, in charge of Commander Wellman, foundered in seventeen fathoms at midday. Salvagers are endeavouring to raise the vessel. The crew were still alive at 5 o’clock.

EFFORTS AT RESCUE

LONDON, January 17.' When the flotilla was ordered to die surface, Submarine A 7 did not rise. The warship communicated with ibe crew' by wireless, and divers did likewise by tapping, but did not receive answers after six o’clock.

The catastrophe is attributed to disabled pumps.

The salvagers retrnod to port, but will resume in the morning. The death roll is two officers and (title petty officers and men.

PARTICULARS OF THE OCCUR RENCE.

LONDON, January 17. The eleven victims of the Whitsftnd Bay disaster include Commander Wellman and Sub-Lieutenant Robert Morrison.

The sea was moderate at the time of the accident. The submarine, accompanied by the Pigmy, attached to 'he seagoing depot ship Forth, dived ior the purpose of- firing torpedoes. Mio remained down_ an unusual time, the Pigmy’s officers, becoming alarmed, endeavoured to communicate, but . li-'it-ed no response Ominous bubbles were seen upon the smooth swell over the rocky bottom. The Pigmy placed » buoy to mark the spot, but the busy drifted and has not been found. Prompt salvage efforts were made and cOSiinuod fruitlessly by the aid of a searchlight. The officials state that the work was practically hopeless. The oxygon was sufficient for six hours. Search for the submarine was resumed at daylight. The depth forbade the opening jf tile conning-tower, as the inrush of water would have been disastrous. "THE PRICE OF ADMIRALTY.” INEFFICIENT .CONSTRUCTION - ALLEGED. LONDON, January 17. Two hundred men have perished in ten years in seven -British and nine foreign submarine aecidents. A sister ship of the A 7 was sunk at Plymouth wifh all bauds in 1005. Both were launched at Barrow on the ssrne day.

Newspapers, commenting on the uccessive disasters to the “A” class, -onsider that the frail hulls are unfitted for

even the elementary duties recently as* signed, namely, exercising within csy roach of the shore. The Admiralty■ is urged to supersede the class forthw.th. SALVAGE OPERATIONS. LONDON, Januarv In. Destroyers are sweeping Wliitsand Bay trying to locate the submenu.'. CONDOLENCES PROM ALL POWERS. Received January 19, 9.10 a.in. LONDON; January I? All the foreign Rowers have sent condolences over the accident to the submarine.