Missing Submarine
p. 32 · Read in the full issue
Mystery of the AE2
(The following note was written to the editor of the “ PIM” hy Mr. J. H. L.
Waterhouse, not long before he died, in August. Mr. Waterhouse was in charge of the native school at Nodup, near Rabaul, and he lived there, and had facilities for making the inquiries he refers to. Unfortunately, he died before he could give us any further details of his theory regarding the disappearance of the submarine—but he was very sure of his theory.) IWAS greatly interested in the article in “PIM” about the Australian sub marine that disappeared off Rabaul in the last war.
When I first arrived in Rabaul, in 1917, the mystery of the submarine was still being discussed. The newer inci dent of the “Matunga’s” disappearance (she was captured by an enemy raider) had not yet been cleared up, and doubt less revived memories of the earlier tragedy.
During my first residence in Rabaul I had little opportunity of making inquiries about the submarine mystery—or, rather, I followed the usual Islands way and accepted current explanations.
After several years, I was transferred to BSI Protectorate, to take charge of some special native educational work, and was away from New Guinea until 1933. Then, at the invitation of General Griffiths, I returned to the Mandated Territory to take charge of the newly opened Nodup School. Looking out across historic St. George’s Channel, each day, my. thoughts returned to the still unknown fate of the submarine. I offered a standing reward for any article ever recovered by the natives, which could possibly have any bearing on the
subject.
In the course of some eight years, the only article that was brought to me was the battered frame of a large pair of binoculars of Zeiss or similar make, from which lenses, etc., had all gone. Just what else may have been found during earlier years I have no idea. Nor did I ever hear of any other sustained search being made.
But in the course of many detailed inquiries through the years, I did obtain information in the vernacular from native sources, which has left little doubt in my own mind as to the submarine’s fate, and even the locality.
I do not know that I should ever have written this, except that there may be a grim sequel some day. You may be interested to put on record what I have in mind.