The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-06-02
WRITES As HIS
LIFE EBBs AWAY
Commander Who Suffocated in Jap
anese Submarine Leaves Letter
Telling Heroic Story.

name OF Commander Sakuma or Sub
marine No 6, OF the Imperial navy.
The cable has briefly told OF the
sinking of Submarine No. 6, while en-
gagged In manoeuvres with the Jap
anese squadron OF Kure, and brief
mention has been made OF the tragic
message from the dead which the
salvers found. This letter, written by
Commander Sakuma while the gas
choked him slowly to death, Is now at
hand in mails from Japan and II Is q
document that will live In Japanese
history. The copy which has just
been received from a Japanese naval
officer reads:
II have no excuse or apology for
having sunk His Majecty's No. sub
marine by my carelessness, but the
crew OF the boat bravely and calmly
discharged their own duties until the
last moments. We now die for the
sake of our country, but we regret
that the future development of sub
marines will receive heavy blow as
result of the disaster. II Is therefore
my hope that you will engage in deep
er study OF the submarine without
having any misapprehension as to
Se@~~s-
then feel no regret at our deaths.
How the Accident Happened.
I'VE were making gasoline dive
when the submarine sank lower than
was intended. and we tried to close
the sluice valve when the chain I'M
fortunately snapped. therefore
closed the valve with my hands, but 1t
was too late to avert disaster, and the
sea entered at the rear OF the boat,
which sank with list OF 25 degrees.
1T reached the bed Of the ocean
on which II stood with list
OF Is degrees. AS the water
submerged the electric generator
the light was extinguished and
the electric wires fused. At the same
time a noxious gas was generated,
which made respiration very difficult.
1T was at about 10 a. m. on April
10 that the submarine sank. Envelop-
ed by the noxious gas the crew en-
deavored to pump out the water.
when we prepared to take the
dive the water In the main tank was
promptly pumped out. Although the
gauge was invisible. owing to the cleo
trio light having failed, It Is recognize
ed that the water In the main tank
was completely exhausted. The cleo.
| trio current has entirely failed Us and
we are also unable TO generate chlor-
| Inc gas. AS a result our only hope
depends upon the hand pump.
('T write this by the light coming
through the coming tower at l1:45
3. m.)
1.-The majority OF the crew are
saturated with water and we feel ex'
tremely cold had many times argued
that men engaged In submarine work
must possess the qualities OF GOODNESS
and prudence, and that unless they
act entirely without thought Of sell
| the development OF submarines cannot
be effected. People may scoff at this
warning and urge that II Is writer
on account of the disaster, but firm
ly believe that my statement will bt
found correct.
The depth meter installed in the
coming tower now indicates 81 de
grees. We have worked hard tC
| pump out the water, but the boat re
mains In the same position.
Crew Of Cool, Brave Men.
"The depth OF water here Is believ'
ed to be about ten fathoms. The crew
of a submarine should be selected
from among men of the very highest
ability, as they will be useful at q
time OF such disaster Fortunately my
crew are all doing their best. | am
contented with this.
Il am always prepared for death
when I am away from home. My will
Is therefore In the locker. This is,
however, of my private affairs, and
there IL no necessity to announce It
here. l only hope Mr.. Taguchi will
kindly send It to my father.
"A word to His Majesty. respect
fully beg to say that II is my hope
that Your Majesty will see to II that
the bereaved families OF the crew are
provided for. This Is foremost in my
mind.
my respects and kind regards to
the following persons: Admiral Baron
Sa,to. Minister OF State for Navy:
Vice-Admirals Shimomura and FULL,
Read-Admirals Sawa. Yamshita and
Martha
suffocating.
1.-The air pressure is becoming so
great that l feel as II my ear drums
are breaking
"Capts. Ogura and Ide, Commander
J. Matsumura, Capt. r. Matsumura,
Lieut.. Commander K Matsumura (this
is my brother). Capt. Funakoshi,
Messrs. Martha and Ikuta-
1T Is now 1890 p. m. My respira-
ton has become difficult and more
and more painful
81, thought could hold out against
gasoline gas, out now | am intoxicat.
ed with the gas
Capt. Nakano-
at is now 12:40 D m. and"
There the message from the dead
ends.
His letter was taken from the sub