TNA ADM 334 83

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port of the loss of H.M.S. 'SEVRA'.- contd, Page 3.
his must almost certainly have been damaged - and ascertained that
the steam steering was out of action.
Immediately after the explosion three ratings who were to port
jumped into the sea. They were wearing, together with the rest of the
crew, their life-saving jackets. The Second Hand who was working aft
at the time was blown into the water. I at once proceeded aft with
my First Lieutenant (Sub-Lieut, W.JOHANSEN XXXXXXX R.N.R.) to supervise
the lowering of the boat, which was swung out in its sea-going position
- and when this was done, as the ship's danger did not appear to be
and I ascertained that no other of the crew was missing or seriously
immediate, I ordered the boat away to pick up the four men in the water
- one of whom was a non-swimmer.- and then to stand by the ship.
At the same time four ratings launched and manned the Carley float.
Signals of distress were made by continuous sounding of the whis-
tle - no other means being available.
Shortly afterwards I sighted the Examination Vessels'Arlette"
and 'No. 9' proceeding to our assistance. As the ship appeared to be XI
settling only very slowly to port, I ordered preparations to be made
for passing a tow. As an additional life-saving measure the braces
securing the buoyant sweep-cable were cast adrift and the terminals
withdrawn from the terminal-box, a light lashing then being bent which
could be quickly cut if the ship sank before the boat returned.
At about 1100 the E.V. 'Arlette' came alongside and I passed
her my towing-wire. By the time this operation had been completed the
ship had taken on a heavier list and seemed likely to sink at any
s/o/
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