DRAMATIC SCENE AT RESCUE

Southland Times, Issue 23827, 26 May 1939, Page 7

DRAMATIC SCENE AT RESCUE

COMMUNICATION WITH TRAPPED MEN SURVIVORS EXPERIENCE BITTER COLD (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright) (Independent Cable Service) (Received May 25, 11.40 p.m.) NEW YORK, May 25. The scene at the rescue was one of unforgettable drama.' The salvage ship Falcon was moored by four anchors directly above the stricken submarine and circled round it, and 16 other naval vessels were standing by; on the fringe hovered scores of coastguard picket boats and small fishing craft carrying reporters and photographers. Overhead zoomed aeroplanes. A brilliant sun shone down and the sea was calm, although an oil film had been spread out to facilitate the lowering of divers with the giant steel rescue chamber. This has a rubber gasket which, with ring bolts, made a watertight connection covering the hatch of the submarine. When contact was made the trapped men opened the hatch and were brought to the surface in relays until only the 26 doomed men remained.

At least two hours and a-half elapsed between the time the first and second batches were brought up. A dramatic story of the rescue efforts was unfolded in the earlier messages. A message of hope was flashed from the Falcon that a "diver is on the deck.” Another message indicated that one of the divers had reached the Squalus and had made contact with the crew through tapping, proving that the latter were still living and were hopeful of rescue. At 11.14 a.m. (Eastern standard time) the Squalus reported to the Falcon: “Things are comfortable and most satisfactory.” The Falcon announced that she would attempt to lower a rescue chamber soon. The Falcon next advised by radio at 11.40 a.m. that the rescue chamber was on its way down and was expected to require hours to affix because 40 divers were working in brief relays because of the depth. In the meantime the Falcon was in constant communication with the Squalus, the latter’s crew tapping out messages which the Falcon was picking up on her oscillograph. In an interview with the North American Newspaper Alliance Quartermaster Murphy, one of the survivors, emphasized the bitter cold during the wait.

“All through the first afternoon we took it easy, trying to save all movement that would eat up air and gas,” he said. “It was cold; I do not think I will ever be warm again. That was the worst part of last night. We got into our bunks, as many as could, and wrapped ourselves up, and still we were cold. We did not do much talking, because that took energy, and we did not know how long we would have to be there. And who could read, when 26 shipmates were missing and there was every reason x o believe that they were dead?” The bell chamber which was used in the disaster to the Squalus for the first time in actual rescue work is said to be a development of the United States Navy, and the design has been made available to all foreign navies. The United States now has five on each of the five submarine rescue ships. The bell is an intricate affair, with electric lighting and telephone systems. It weighs nine tons and is operated by a motor.

Mr Simon Lake, aged 73, the inventor of the even-keeled submarine, was prepared to join the rescuers if his services were needed. He said the depth would be a serious handicap. “It is very difficult to do effective work at 240 ft,” he said. “Modern diving apparatus is not strong enough to stand the pressure.”