The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1912-02-03
SAKUMA WROTE
AS DEATH GAME
ljeutenant's Last Words Were
Penned at Seas ROttoml
FAST IN SUEKEN SUBMARINE.
Commander of Foundered Vessel Had
Little Thought of Himself, but Urged
Emperor to Care For the Families Of
His Brave Crew.

L
| Emperor to Care For the Families o.
| His Brave Crew.
A letter showing exceptional devo
ton to duty, written by Lieutenant
Tsuma Sakuma, commander of the
japanese submarine No. G, after the
boat had foundered during maneuvers
In Hiroshima bay, April 10. 1910, has
been photographed by the Japanese
government. and one of the prints
has just been presented to the library
OF congress by Commander Tokutaro
Hiraga, naval attache OF the japanese
embassy at Washington 1t has been
placed on exhibition at the library
among other remarkable documents.
The letter was penned by Lieuten-
ant Sakuma while approaching death
after the sinking of the boat He be
| gan 1t about 10 a. NJ. and ended at
12:40 p. M, when he felt himself los
ing consciousness. The last few words
are hardly readable and show plainly
the difficulty with which he was writ.
| ing.
The letter follows:
Words OF apology fail me for hav-
ing sunk his majestys submarine No
9. My subordinates are killed by my
fault, but it is with pride that | in.
form you that the crew to man have
discharged their duties as sailors
should, with the utmost coolness until
their dying moments.
Gave Lives For Country.
1--WE now sacrifice our lives for the
sake of our country. but my fear is
that the disaster will affect the future
development of submarines. Ii Is
therefore my hope that nothing will
daunt your determination to study the
submarine until 1t is perfect ma,
ffhieann Chen die without regret.
1T was while making a gasoline
dive that the boat sank lower than
intended. and in our attempt to close
the sluice the chain broke. We en-.
deavored to stop the thrush of water
with our hands, but too late. The
water entered at the rear, and the
boat sank at an incline OF twenty-five
degrees.
when It touched bottom 1t was at
an angle of thirteen degrees. The cur
rent submerged the electric generator
put out the light, and the electric
wires were burned.
.In a few minutes bad gas was gen.
Grated. making 1T difficult to breathe.
sIt was at 10 a. IN. on the 10th inst
| that the boat sank. Surrounded by
poisonous gas, the crew stroye to pump
out the water.
"As soon as the boat sank the water
| in the main tank was being pumped
| out. The electric light was extinguish-
ed. and the gauge was invisible. but II
| seems the water in the main tank was
completely pumped out.
Vessel In Darkness.
"The electric current has now become
useless, and the hand pump is our only
hope. The vessel is In darkness, and !
note this down by the light through
the coming tower at IL :45 a. IN.
THE crew are now wet. and 1t is ex-
tremely cold. 1t is my opinion that
men embarking in submarines must
possess the qualities Of GOODNESS and
nerve and must be extremely painstak
ing. They must be brave and daring In
the handling of the boat. People may
laugh at this, i'm view Of my failure,
but the statement is true.
"We have worked hard to pump out
the water, but the boat Is still in the
same position. 1t is now IL O'Clock
The depth OF the water here Is about
ten fathoms.
"The crew of a submarine should bt
Iselected from the bravest, the coolest
or they will be of little use In time OF
a crisis in such as we are now. My
brave men are doing their best.
II always expected death when away
from home. My will is therefore pre-
pared and is In the locker. But this Ii
Of my own private affairs. ] hope Mr.
Taguchi will send 1t to my father.
"A word to his majesty the emperor
1t Is my earnest hope that your majes
/ ty will supply the means OF living t
the poor families Of my crew. This II
my only desire, and | am SO anxious
to have 1t fulfilled.
Last Words to Friends.
my respects and best regards to tn
following: Admiral Saito. minister o
the navy; Vice Admirals Shimamur'
and Fulfil. Rear Admirals Nawa, va
mashita and Narita tthe air pressur
is so tight that feel my eardrums will
be broken; Captains Oguri and Ide
Commander Matsumura. Lieutenan
Commander Matsumura. Captain Flu
nakoshi. Mr.. Narita and Mr.. Ikuta.
, IL now 1870 p. NJ. My breathing !
, very difficult and painful. ] though
: could blow out gasoline, but | am In
tQxlcated With it-Captain Nakano.