SUNK IN DEEP WATER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 May 1939, Page 5

SUNK IN DEEP WATER

AND UNABLE TO RISE AGAIN PLIGHT OF AMERICAN SUBMARINE ALL ON BOARD ALIVE AND WELL. RESCUE TASK FOR NAVY. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. (Received This Day. 9.45 a.m.) WASHINGTON. May 23. The Navy Department has reported that the submarine Squalus has been sunk off Portsmouth (New Hampshire) in 240 feet of water. It is believed that she carries oyer sixty men and officers. The occupants of the submerged submarine are reported to be alive and well. The submarine Sculpin was rushed to the scene, and the Navy Department is also despatching the submarine rescue vessel U.S.S. Falcon from the base at New London. Navy authorities said the men had enough air to last them for several days and also said they had talked by radio telephone, with the submerged vessel’s commander, who advis’ed that all aboard were alive and in good condition. The commander said the submarine was unable to rise owing to inability to discharge water taken aboard, apparently ballast.

The Navy officials said the vessel was equipped with a new type of “lung,” with which seamen can rise from great depths safely. There is one such lung for every man aboard, also spares. The submarine, which was launched last September and only completed on May 1, has a displacement of 1450 tons and is 299 feet long. Her occupants include a representative of the contractors. The Falcon is equipped with every facility for assistance and also for removal of the submarine’s men.