SENSATION AT LAUNCHING

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20886, 18 August 1939, Page 7

SENSATION AT LAUNCHING

AIRCRAFT-CARRIER'S DRAMATIC PLUNGE WOMAN KILLED, FIFTEEN PEOPLE INJURED MIRACULOUS ESCAPE OF THOUSANDS OF OTHERS (United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received August 18, 11.20 a.m.' LONDON, Aug. 17 A woman was killed, fifteen people were injured, and hundreds of workmen and thousands of spectators had a miraculous escape when the 23,000-ton aircraft-carrier Formidable launched herself at Belfast half-an-hour before the scheduled christening by Lady Kingsley Wood, wife of the Air Minister. The ship began to move as Lady Wood, accompanied by her husband and officials, mounted the platform. With great presence of mind she grabbed a bottle oi wine and smashed it across the ship’s bows as it was almost out of reach. Thousands of people were horrified at the noise of ripping metal and wood as the ship tore away from the cradle and began its career down the slips, entirely unsupported. Workmen who were still employed under the ship dashed to safety as huge pieces of the cradle were flung in all directions. The spectators massed close on each side of the slipway * were in imminent danger of being crushed to death had the ship overturned, but by one chance in a million the Formidable remained on an even keel as it gathered speed and plunged into the water amid the dead silence of the petrified crowd. Those on the official platform stood white and tense as the ship took water. Dozens of women fainted, and others were treated for slight injuries which had been caused when a section of the crowd stampeded. No theory is yet available as to the cause of the mishap- Waiting tugs had to steam hurriedly from the path of the Formidable. The woman killed was Mrs Cooke, wife of a shipyard worker. The latter was injured.