One of the opening features of the British board of enquiry into the loss of the submarine Thetis was the glowing testimony of Capt. H. P. K. Oram, one of the four survivors, of the tragedy. to the gallantry of the imprisoned crew. He spoke of the sangfroid of the crew, and others numbering approximately 100 men, in the face of stark death, whom he left to test the escape apparatus and risk drowning in order that the rest may know their chances of escape. He saw no panic at any time and all the men "showed quiet bravery the men: ory of which will forever live with me," he said, going on to recount how the crew and other men on board joked to while away the time until the foul air caused them to be quiet. Readers will remember that similar stories were told of the men who were trapped in the Poseidon. It does not appear in the evidence at present to hand, but it seems to be indicated, that one of the reasons why escape from the hatchway was rendered di ficult was because of the angle at which the vessel was lying to the bed of the ocean until it eventually settled down on an almost even keel, when, of course it was obviously too late for the men imprisoned to help themselves. There can be no doubt that Capt. Oram, and Lieut, F. G. Woods acted with the greatest gallantry, and the fact that more could not be done to save more of their fellows in no way reflects upon them. The whole story of the conduct of the men within the submarine is of a piece with British tradition. They were, according to the witness, experiencing difficulty in breathing even early after the fatal submersion, and it can only be hoped that their suffering, useless as it proved to be, did not last too long. It is probable that the enquiry will last a very considerable time, and will not end. until all possibility of raising the Thetis has been exhausted. Active preparations were being made, according to the latest mail, in order to make an endeavour to lift her about this time, and the lack of news suggests that early forecasts of the difficulties to be encountered have proved to be true.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.