The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-01
Serious Weakness Common to All "F" Type Has Been Pointed Out by Inquiry Board
VESSEL NOW IN DRY I DOCK AT HONOLULU
 FOR INSPECTION
Propelling Engines Have Inherent Faults and Are
 Difficult to Keep in Re
 pair-MOtOrs in Condition

Washington. August 31.-Serious weakness common to all four of the navy's "F' type of submarine are pointed out in report made public today of the board of the inquiry which made an investigation at Hon. oluu immediately after the loss of the F-4 with her crew of 22 last March. So far as could be determined before the boat was raised, the board found that every possible precaution had been taken within the limitations of design, and the report pays tribute to the efficiency of the men who lost their lives.
 With the F-4 now in dry dock at Honolulu. new board headed by Rear Admiral Bousch. has been ap- pointed to ascertain the cause of tho disaster.
 Although the first board reported that It could draw no conclusion as to the cause, the possibility that the crew might have been killed by chlorine gas is indicated in the finding that Sea water has at times seeped into tie cells of the storage batteries of the boats of the r class. causing the evolu- tion of chlorine gas, which is quickly destructive of life"
 Boards Findings
 In connection with the 2 following principal findings of the board 1t Is tpinted out that each defective cord; 7 tion reported as to the F-i obtained in all boats Of the class:
 "rhe structure of tho hull of the submarine torpedo boat F-4 was regu- larly inspected and the condition as to repair and upkeep was excellent.
 "The propelling engines have inher- ont faults and are difficult to keep in repair, but were kept In as high stata of efficiency as practicable within tht limitations of said design.
 This unsatisfactory condition of the propelling has no bearing on the loss of the submarine, as this boat at the time of her loss was being propelled by the electric motors and storage bat teries.
 The electric motors were in good condition, having been repaired by the ships force. assisted by the navy yard force at the United States naval sta- tion. Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii
 ''The storage batteries were in good condition within the limitations of dc- sign
 ''The storage batteries were always in q state of being more or less electri- cally .grounded.' due to the leakage of electrQlyte, or by capillary acticn of the electrolyte or moisture and poor insulation. or bad electrical contact and these grounds have been noted to be of sufficient intensity at timest = cause flame and the .fuslng of electrj4 4ilz connections,
 Hydrogen Gas Exccssive./
 sThe storage batteries duHng tl,a charging, evolved f'excessiveA quantities of hydrogen sas,S and furthef, during the early stagB of dischar(lng quan- titles of hydrogs1 tas was eSolved and the fumes of hydrogen and fof acid be- came noticeable in the intextor of tn, boat on long divep
 "On the F-i MaNcll G. 1915, while ono electrica vcntIlator\ blower wah stop ped for short period for minor ros pairs. probably from 'Ground in tfe ventilating blowers, electioal circuit. hydrogen explosion took rlAee Hhich the battery deck and brolso several separators of the cellA of- tie storage batteries. ~
 The covering over the storage bat teries of the battery deck. in accordance with specifications for submarine tor- pedo boat No. s3 is to be practically gan tight and water tight. which condition does not obtain as this so-called battery deck does permit water to scep mo tho 
 "r'ie sea water has at times seeped into the cells of the storage batteries nf the bo.its of the F class. causing the evo- lution of chlorine gas. which gas Is quick v destructive of life.
 All inspections of safety appliances as
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