SUBMARINE DISASTER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 May 1939, Page 7

SUBMARINE DISASTER

FIFTEEN MEN RESCUED FROM SQUALUS l TWENTY-SEVEN SAID TO BE DEAD STORY OF DRAMATIC EFFORTS. CORPS OF DIVERS AT WORK. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received This Day. 9.30 a.m.) NEW YORK, May 24. Fifteen of the occupants of the submerged submarine Squalus have been rescued so far, by means of a rescue chamber, being brought to the surface in batches of seven and eight, respectively. The Navy Department reports, however, that twenty-seven of those remaining in the submarine are undoubtedly dead. Contrary to the traditions of the sea, one of the officers, Lieutenant John C. Nichols, was brought up with the first seven, in ■ order to report on the accident and as to the condition of the remaining survivors, also on the submarine and also, possibly, to aid in the rescue work. A dramatic story of rescue efforts is unfolded in earlier progress messages. These state that a message of hope flashed from the Falcon that a “diver on deck” message intimated that one of the divers had reached the Squalus and made contact with the crew, through tapping, indicating that the latter were still living and hopeful of rescue. At 11.14 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time) the Squalus reported to the Falcon: “Things comfortable and most satisfactory.” The Falcon announced that she was attempting to lower the rescue chamber shortly. The Falcon next advised by radio, at' 11.40 a.m. that the rescue • chamber was on its way down but that it was expected it would required some hours to affix, this being due to the forty divers working in brief relays, owing to the depth of the water; In the meantime the Falcon was in constant communication with the Squalus. The latter’s crew were lapping out messages which the Falcon was picking up on the oscillograph.

EARLIER REPORT. USE OF RESCUE CHAMBER. NEW YORK, May 24. Early this morning it was announced that the first attempt to rescue the crew would be made by means of the so-called rescue chamber, a large steel ball which will be lowered and made fast to the hatch of the submarine. Eight or ten men will be transferred to the chamber at a time and brought to the surface till all are out. OFFER OF HELP MADE BY AGED INVENTOR. (Received This Day, 11.20 a.m.) NEW YORK, May 24. Mr Simon Lake, aged 73. inventor of the even-keeled submarine, is prepared to join the rescuers if his services are needed. He said the depth of water would be a serious handicap and declared: "It is very difficult to do effective work at 240 feet. Modern diving apparatus is not strong enough to stand the pressure.”