Jean also has vivid memories of the disaster which overtook the submarine Thetis during its final acceptance trials in Liverpool Bay in 1939. It was a chapter of accidents resulting from a spot of paint having fallen across the end of the small inspection pipe used to test whether there was any seawater behind one of the torpedo doors. Because of the blockage, no water showed, so they opened the door, letting in tons of seawater and the ship plunged to the bottom. The Naval Authorities' speed of response was totally inadequate and as the whole Nation waited, the air supply ran out and the tapping on the hull died away. 98 Seamen and Employees of Cammell Laird the Shipbuilders died in the accident and Jean remembers the prayers said at school for their safety and singing 'Eternal Father' and always thinks about the tragedy when this hymn is sung.