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, it
is believed that on a bright day with
the sun directly overhead, it will be
possible to work at a depth OF 40 to
45 f4thoms without artificial light
The diving equipment includes lighting
apparatus. but this will not he 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
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
like number, so that there Is a plen.
tiful supply OF compressed air for the
living 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
re-accustoming a 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, a
much greater depth than the worlds
record of 275, made by Chief Gunners
Mate S. ]. 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 |
mersion 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 towed
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-.
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
The is shared are holding. A good
ieal will depend on just where on the
full Of the vessel these lines are
taught, as to how soon she can be
'aised. 1t may be necessary to drag
again, following directions from the
iiyers before the wire sling around
he F-4 is considered secure enough
% stand the tremendous strain that
will be put on it by the hosting ma.
;htnery. 1t is thought that possibly it
will be necessary to use pontoon meth.
IDS to break out the submarine from
he bottom, but that after she is once
lear, the hoisting 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 tlie work is tackling his part of
he job with more than the usual en-.
husiasm and interest. If the vessel {
5 successfully raised, as is generally t
loped, a new worlds record will have t
zen established and one of which the /
United States navy can feel justly {
roud. 7sa---,s..- .,,