SINKING SUBMARINE.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 865, 11 July 1910, Page 8

SINKING SUBMARINE.

JAPANESE CAPTAIN'S LAST LETTEK. No finer example of the spirit which animates the Japanese naval officer could bo found than m the dying record left by the captain of a sinking Japanese submarine. Tho newspapers publish exact copies of the original letters left by the late Lieut.-Commander Sakuina Tsutomu, captain of No. 0 submarine, which sank in Hiroshima Bay. It is particularly stated that the versions published are exact copies of. the original, no alterations whatever having teen made in the text. The following is a translation:— Although thero is, indeed, no excuse to make for tho sinking of his Imperial Majesty's boat and tor the doing away of subordinates through my hecdlessn&ss, all on the boat have discharged their duties well, and in everything acted calmly until death. Although we are departing in pursuance of our duty to the State, the only regret we have is due to anxiety lest the men of the world may misunderstand the matter, and that thereby a blow may be given to the future development of submarines. Gentlemen, we hope you will be increasingly diligent without misunderstanding (the cause of this accident), and that you will devote your full strength to investigate everything, and so eusuro the future development of submarines. If this is done wo shall have nothing to regret. While going through gasoline submarine exercise we submerged too far, and, when we attempted to shut the sluice valve, the chain in the meantime gave way. Then wo tried to close the sluice valve by hand, but it was then too late, the rear part being full of water and the boat sank at an angle of about 25 degrees.

1. The boat rested at an incline of about 13 degrees, pointing towards the stern.

2. The switchhoard being under water, the electric lights gave out. Offensive gas developed, and respiration became difficult.

At about 10 a.m. on the 15th the boat sank, and under this offensive gas we endeavoured to expel the water with a hand pump.

• At the same time as the vessel was being submerged, we expelled the water from the main tank. The light having gone out the gauge cannot be seen, but we know that the water has been expelled from the main tank. We cannot use the electric current entirely. Tho olectric liquid is overflowing, but no salt water has entered, and chlorine gas has not developed. We only rely upon the hand pump now.

The above lias been written under the light of the conning tower, when it was 11.45 o'clock. We are now soaked by the water that has made its way in. Our clothes are very wet and we feel cold.

I had always been used to warn my shipmates that their behaviour (on an emergency) should l>o calm and delicate while brave, otherwise we could nothope for development and progress, ami that at the same time, one should not cultivate excessive delicacy, lest work should be retarded. People may bo tempted to ridicule that after this failure, but I am perfectly confident that my previous words have not been mistaken.

The depth gauge of the conning tower indicates 52, and, despite the endeavour to expel the water, the pump stopped and did not work after twelve o'clock.

The. depth in this neighbourhood being ten fathoms, the reading may be correct. The officers and men of submarines must be appointed, from the most distinguished among the distinguished, or there will Iμ annoyance in cases like this. Happily, all the members of this crow have discharged their duties well, and I feel satisfied.

I have always expected death whenever I left my home, and therefore my will is already in the drawer at, Karasaki. (This remark refers only to my private affairs, and it is not necessary. Messrs. Taguchi and Asami! Please inform my father of this.)

I beg respectfully to say to his Majesty that I respectfully request that none of the families left by my subordinates shall suffer. The only matter I am anxious about now is this.

Please convey my compliments to the following gentlemen (the order may not be proper):—Minister Saito, Vice-Admiral Shimnmura, Vice-Admiral Fujii, HcarAdmiral Xawa, Hear-Admiral Ymmashita, Rear-Admiral Narita. (Atmospheric pressure is increasing, and I feel as if my tympanum were breaking.) Captain Oguri, Captain Ide, Commander Matsnmura (Jnnichi), Captain Matsumura (Bin), Commander Matsumnra (Kiku), my elder brother. Captain Funakoshi, Instructor Narita Kotaro, Instructor Ikuta Kokinji.

12.30 o'clock, respiration is extraordinarily difficult.

I mean I am breathing gasoline. I am intoxicated with gasoline.

Captain Nakano.* It is 12.40 o'clock.

[This is the name of another officer to whom the dying officer desired to be remembered.] Could anything be more inspiring than this letter of mi officer dying slowly'of asphyxiation? The basis of Japanese naval training is English.