TNA ADM 199 790

Raw OCR

Unformatted machine-generated OCR for document page 78.

75
5.
2nd June. 1940.
APPENDIX I.
Inquiry into the loss of H.M.S. Basilisk.
1. P.O. Tel Covington
Syko Machine and operating signals left in
office.
All W/T books burnt including Syke cards
burnt except Naval Syko 1st June.'1/1 sets not wrecked.
Several BR S burnt.
Communications.
Immediately after lights failed, connected up
4A to 51 ariel from Whalers davits to masthead.
Endeavoured to get into communication with Dover forces
and W/T-Set appeared to be working efficiently.
Appeared to be to much traffic in air my signals Jammed.
Very Good reception. Found by still remaining of main
aeriel; disconnected 11 from all other legs and then ran
lead from seriel connection inedde office to the 4H.
reture set and again tried to got Dover forces and
Dover W/T. Reception throughout good until time of
abandoning shin. Finding Dower to WI not sufficier:
connected up 100 7. receiving lattery in series making
220V but gunfire from ship kept loosening contacts.
Signals appeared to be going out alright.
First: message sent out in Nyko 18 Have been hit
broadcasting at regular intervals.
2nd. attack made "Help Bray" several times.
Last signal made "Send tuge require immediate assistance
officer " ( in Nyko ). Possible non reception was
probable due to loss of powerin load and jamaing due go
heavy traffic ( Dover 1/2. Travlers on 3/2 and shipe
in vicinity all broadcasting ).
Had It been possible to get 51 working could have
got signal through. Heavy fuses in office after 3rd. bombing
could not get at tyke machine and operating signals.
2. C.E.R.A. Yestlake.
Tent into Engine Room as soon as atem had
cleared, opened all boiler Safety Valves. Found both
C.E.R.A's Griffiths and Sto. Futt in front of the
throttle killed. Platform generally wrecked,
particularly Port aide, Bulkhead to after R. blown
aray ( from B.R. into B.R. ). Main and insillary Steem
lines pierced ( Port side ) Shut off Bulkhead Valves.
Plugged water pouring in through rivet holes. Shut off
remainder of Auxillary Bas Cooks, 1.0. stopped all leaks.
3. Cheir Stoker Ricketts.
Forward supply party. Went down after B.R.
after steam cleared.
Found oil pump of port after fan and steam
pipes port aldo blown away.
Found I Stoker hanging on ladder (Sto. Mandon )
1 P.O.in bilges
(Sto. P.O. Lowry)
2 in front of beilers, all killed
( P.O. Mahonay di Sto,Wormold)