TNA ADM 334 83

Raw OCR

Unformatted machine-generated OCR for document page 3.

Rep of the loss of H.M.S. 'SEVRA' 7 contd. Page 2.
its proper position. This search was continued as far to the North as
the Boom-gate.
The outward leg of the third lap was made close to the west-
ward of the dan-buoys. At approx. 1030, when close to the second dan,
a mine exploded apparently 20 yds. two points on the port quarter.
The effect of this explosion was similar to, though much more severe
than, that of a magnetic mine swept in the normal way. The ship stopped
dead - though she was making upwards of 7 knots at the time. There was
a heavy upward concussion which unshipped the Stokehold ventilators
and threw them on deck; wrenched the starboard Hotchkiss gun from its
mounting, flinging it aft and then forward into my cabin, but only
dismounting the port Hotchkiss. On the bridge both compasses and the
Engineroom telegraph were wrecked. In general the worst effects of the
explosion appear to have been felt amidships. In the Engineroom and
Stokehold, the stokehold plates were blown off their beds. The oil-fuel
pumps were thrown up twenty feet against the deck overhead. The main
steam-pipe was fractured. Detailed assesment of damage was impossible
as the lighting failed immediately and the whole after part of the
ship filled with steam. Joinery throughout the whole ship was displac-
ed and wrecked. The ship took an immediate list to port. Owing to the
severe rush of steam and the darkness below, it was not possible to
assess the actual damage to the hull.
Before leaving the bi idge I switched off the LL circuit - though
10/5
8/10
live
116
10:
6/4