Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-11-10

doubling plate. between Frames Nos
IS and 66, thence circumferentially
and diagonally around frame riyetine
and butts in this vicinity indicating
that shell offered less resistance tc
external pressure In this locality than
elsewhere; and that, therefore,
It is most probable that the place
where seams opened was around the
pedo-hatch. =. 8
a. It. may safely be assumed that
loose objects such as battery plates,
tool-chests, etc.-'Were churned around
during salvage operations, and there
f0re,7-
The damage to fittings inside yes.
sci was causeds principally by this
churning.
The Primary Cause.
50, Lead lining Of forward battery
steel tanks found corroded, and that,
therefore, -
The corroded condition Of certain
rivets in tho poFt wall Of the forward
battery steel tank was probably the
primary cause Of the disasters.
80. Stop tanks found corroded; I
suction-pipe leading to bottom of for
ward battSry iftd lined tank found
plugged With marine glue, and that.
therefore,
These conditions were contributory
to the disaster.
40. No evidence found that the u.
s. S. F-4 had poor diving qualities prior
to her docking in February, 1915,
when experimental propellers were
fitted-the only known alteration
made; and that, therefore
The experimental propellers SO sub
stituted probably so affected the in
f1uence Of the alter diving rudders as
to make 1T difficult for the diving rud.
der man to control the vessel; and
that, furthermore =
The poor diving qualities conse-
quent upon this change of propellers
were the secondary cause of the dis
aster.
II. Air valves found open on for
ward main, middle main, auxiliary,
end after main ballast tanks, and that,
therefore
In the endeayor to check the YES
sells downward momentum, the inter-
val of time requisite for the expnl-
sion of sufficient quantities of water
permitted the vessel to reach crushing
depths.
No Blame on Men.
AZ. From facts established, that
The accident resulting in the disas.
ter to the u. S. 8. F-4 on March %,
1915. was not due to carelessness.
negligence, or inefficiency on the part
of the officers or men of the vessel;
and that, furthermore
The personnel remained at their res
pectiYe stations until all effective
means employed to avert the disaster
impending had failed. and thereafter
sought refuge
General Conclusions.
The board then stated its concep-
ton of the whole disaster of March
rs, 1915, as follows.
The primary cause of the disaster
was the corroded condition of the lead
lining and, in consequence, of certain
rivets in the port wall of the forward
battery steel tank; and
Secondary Causes.
The secondary causes of the disas-
ter were
(al The poor diving qualities of
the vessel; and
OBJ The consequent failure of the
vessel promptly to respond to meas
ures taken to bring her to the sur
face
Unknown to the commanding Off
Ger, the vessel acquired some mega
tive buoyancy forward of the center
of gravity, through the leaky rivet in
the port wall of the forward battery
steel tank
Water accumulated in the forward
battery lead lined tank and, through
corroded slop tanks, oyerflowed into
the battery celIs-in contact with sui
phuric acid in the cells generating
chlorine gas. $500. =
The vessel developed strong ten
dency to dive. ~. r.. 80. (
Upon these intimations of danger,
there followed:
Up-rudder-but, due to the poor div
ing qualities of the vessel, aggravated
by the additional quantity of water
taken in through the port wall of the
forward battery tank, ~ -
Vessel did not respond, but, in fact,
continued to descend, and
Downward momentum gained be.
fore propellers we're stopped.
Automatic blow was tripped, and