Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-04-13
ALL READY NOW
FOR Divers TO
GO down TO F.4
Continued from page one)

OF its experimental work. In fact, II
Is believed that on a bright day with
the sun directly overhead, it will be
possible to. work at a depth OF 40 tc
As fathoms without artificial light
The diving equipment includes lighting
apparatus. but this will not be used
unless it is found necessary.
Plentiful Air Supply.
Air for the deep-sea divers is sup.
piled from small tanks of compressed
air which is regulated by means OF a
reducing valve The ordinary torpedo
air flask is used for this purpose, and
this morning six Of these TASKS were
taken off the Maryland and placed on
the lighter, where they were secured
by cleats to the deck. The extra tor:
pedoes Of the submarines furnishes a
like number so that there is a plen-
tiful supply Of compressed air for the
diving work. These TASKS will be re.
charged from the Alert as the work
progresses, the submarine tender to
be anchored close to the diving barge
In addition to the air supply and regu.
lating apparatus, the big re-cOmpres-
sion chamber, or air lock, into which
divers who show any signs of distress
after coming up are placed, is secure
ly dashed to the deck of the lighter.
This air lock and the appliances for
diver to normal atmo-
spheric pressure are in charge Of DR.
G. r. w. French of the navy, who
forms one of the diving party. Like
Stilson, DR.. French is delighted with
local conditions for diving and believes
that there will be no trouble in max
ing observations of the sunken subma,
rine. In fact, all the experts believe
that should there be any necessity,
much greater depth than the worlds
record Of 275. made by Chief Gunners
Mate s. J. Drellishak, could be attain
ed in local waters.
Pontoons Ready.
The finishing touches were being put
on the second reconstructed mud
scow this morning. Although both the
600-ton scows have been fitted for sub
and puming, the hosting gear
on each Is so strong that Naval Con.
structor Furer and his assistants have
high hopes that the F-4 can be lifted
and towed into shallow water with.
out resorting to pontoon methods.
However, if the submarine proves too
much of dead weight, the scows can
be submerged, pumped out and lowed
shoreward again until the sunken yes.
sci again grounds and the operation re-
peated as often as necessary to get
the F-4 into shallow water. Soundings
have been made to show the best
course to tow and in fact every pre-.
paratory step that could speed up the
work has been taken. .. ,..,....
The first step towards actual salvage
operations will be made by the divers, |
who after an observation of the sunk. |
IN submarine will be able to give in. |
formation as to how she heads and how |
he two heavy wire cables with which |
she is shared are holding. A good
Zeal will depend on just where on the
hull Of the vessel these lines are
caught, as to how soon she can be |
raised. 1t may be necessary to drag
again, following directions from the
1iyers before the wire sling around
he F-4 is considered secure enough |
% stand the tremendous strain that |
will be put on 1t by the hosting ma.
:hinery. It is thought that possibly it |
will be necessary to use pontoon meth
DDS to break out the submarine from
he bottom, but that after she is once
clear, the hosting machinery alone
will be sufficient.
The F-4 work is one of the most |
interesting salvage problems that has
,yer arisen and everyone connected
With the work is tackling his part of
he job with more than the usual en-
husiasm and interest. If the vessel
s successfully raised, as is generally
loped, new worlds record will have
,een established and one of which the
United States navy can feel justly
,roud. is%