The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1912-02-01
SAKUMA WROTE
AS DEATH CAME
lleutanant's Last Words We're
Panned at Seas ROttOnn
FAST IN SUNKEN SUBMARINE
Commander of Foundered Vessel Had
Little Thought of Himself. but Urged
Emperor to Care For the Families of
His Brave Crew.

Emperor to Cara 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. 6. after the
boat had foundered during maneuvers
in Hiroshima bay. April Is. 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 it about 10 a. N. and ended at
1910 p. NJ, when be 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 majesty's submarine No.
6 Ny subordinates are killed by my
fault. but 1t is with pride that | in
form you that the crew to man have
discharged their duties as sailors
should, with the utmost GOODNESS until
their dying moments.
Gave Lives For Country.
I'VE now sacrifice our lives for the
sake of our country. bat my fear is
that the disaster will affect the future
development of submarines. 1t is
therefore my hone that nothing will
daunt your determination to study the
submarine until it is perfect ma
chine. absolutely reliable. We can
then 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 It 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 it difficult to breathe.
1T was at 10 a. IN on the 18th inst
that the boat sank. Surrounded by |
poisonous gas. the crew strove TO pump |
out the water.
las 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
pumped out
Vessel In Darkness.
1.-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
he coming tower at IL ~ a m
The crew are now wet. and 1t Is ex-
remely cold 1t is my opinion that
nen embarking in submarines must
POSSESS the qualities OF GOODNESS and
,erye and must be extremely painstak
ng. They must be brave and daring in
he handling of the boat People may
augh at this. In view of my failure.
,ut the statement is true.
I'VE have worked hard to pump out
he water. but the boat IL still In the
anne position 1t is now II o'clock
The depth of the water here is about
en- fathoms.
THE crew OF submarine should be
elected from the bravest. the coolest.
r they will be Of little use in time of
crisis in such as we are now. My
rave men are doing their best
II always expected death when away
rom home. Ny will is therefore pre- {
AIRED and Is in the locker. But this is '
( my own private affairs. | hope Mr. {
aguchi will send 1t TO my father. |
"a word TO his majesty the emperor.
Is my earnest hope that your males 8
? will supply the means OF living to {
lie poor families of my crew. This is I
" only desire. and am so anxious q
, have II fulfilled. b
Last Words TO Friends. r
MY respects and best regards to the Il
blowing: Admiral Saito. minister OF d
lie navy: Vice Admirals Shimamura n
nd Fulfil. Rear Admirals Nawa. Va
ashita and Martha 1.-THE air presst re {
80 tight that feel my eardrums will
, broken: Captains Oguri and Ide. r
Matsumura. Lieutena ut
Matsumura. Captain Flu
lkoshi. Mr.. Martha and Mr.. Ikuta. 1t r
now 1890 p. M. My breathing is :,
Try difficult and painful I thought !,
could blow out gasoline. but am in :,
xicated with it-Captain Nakano. 1t '
now 1910 D. M a,
This letter was found in a pocket of c
eutenant sakuma's coat as he lay in =,
e coming tower of the submarine q,