TNA ADM 199 795

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The wooden portions of the boat forward and aft were
blown to fragments, the bottom of the boat split length-
ways, one of the crew falling out through the bottom,
but the azmoured portion of the boat remained intact, the
of
the
closing in overhead. Fortunately the boat's
O.L.A
crew were arouching dorm in the armoured part of the craft
when the explosion occurred and were completely unscathed.
They attribute their survival entirely to the armour
protection. Several other boats in the imadiate vicinity
as
were blown to atoms and samic at once. A.L.C. 15 sank
after a few admites.
Unfortunately Sub. Lieut. Filsoxes, who was abcard
H.K.S. Bideford, was nortally mounded. P.O. Gill and
Stoker Hardstaff of A.L.C. 16 found him sitting on a
Sollard, just forward of the quarterdeck in Bideford,
with one of his legs bloom all above the issue. They
endeavoured to stop the hasmorrage using a rifle pail
through as & commiquet. Jub, Lieut, Tilecron sent
them in search of a medical officer, but they - unite
to find one,
II.M.J. Xallet gette alongside Bideford and took off
the srew of A.L.C. 16 together with other survivors and
wounded.