Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-04-12
MARYLAND IS
HERE;;SALVAGE
PLANS PROCEED
Experts and Equipment Arrive
on Cruiser to Raise Lost
F-4 TO Surface
TOMORROW WILL BE
DAY OF OBSERVATION
Actual Work of Lifting Not
Expected to Be Begun Until
Wednesday

with four Of the most expert divers
Of the United States navy aboard. and
elaborate apparatus which makes it
pssitle for divers to work at great
depths, the cruiser Maryland arrived
from San Francisco this morning,
docking at about 9:3U O'Clock. The
diving party, which besides the four
deep-sea workers. who are all chief
gunners mates, includes DR.. G. r.
W. French Of the navy. and chief
Gunner G. ID. StiIson. inventor OF the
pOwer-driven air compressor and re-
ducing valve These six n1en have
been working together for months
past. conducting deepsea expert
ments, and they left the Atlantic
coast on I2 hours notice from the
navy department. to assist in locat
ing and raising the sunken submar
inc F-4
The Maryland was waiting ready to
sail at San Francisco. but although
the cruiser ran at high speed for the
first few days OF the voyage, heavy
seas made speed inadvisable, and
time being no SPECIAL factor in the
salvage work, she was slowed down
for the last half of the voyage
Soon after the cruiser came along
side the navy dock, Naval Construct
or J. A. Furer. Lieut. c. e. Smith and
Chief Gunner Stilson held a confer.
ence, which resulted in a quick trip
to the dredge Gaylord, lying direct
ly over the F-4. so that the navy ex.
pert might size up the local situation.
By tomorrow everything will be in
readiness for an observation, and it
is believed that with the improved ap-
paratus, and the dredge to work from,
the divers will be able TO make a care
sfu survey pf the bottom, and deter
mine just which way the F-4 heads,
and how the lines about her are hold.
ing. BY Wednesday morning the 600.7
ton lifting scows will be completed.
so that tomorrow will be day for
observation, while actual work of
raising the vessel will not be com.
menced until the following day.
Formulate Piano Later.
The greater part OF the morning
was consumed in making the newcom,
ers familiar with the Iocal situation,
and showing the facilities for work.
disaster on the Maryland, when she
arrived, the officers being even in
doubt as to whether the submarine
had been definitely located. They did
not know what was expected. or what
the conditions Of work would be and
had few comments to make as to the
probable chances Of success.
With Stilson as the practical expert
and DIR. G. r. w. French of the navy
provided with all the latest appliances
of medical science to guard against
disastrous after effects from deep-sea
diving, the four men who do the actual
work are confident of success. They
are s. ]. Drellishak, Frank Crilly, F.
C. Nelson and w. F. Loughman. All
have gone to excessive depths with
the new apparatus and Drellishak
holds the worlds record of 275 feet
This party OF six has been working
together for some months past said
DR.. French this morning. "Of course j
don't know what the local conditions
are or much about the position of
the sunken submarine. but If she has
been actually located in less than 800
feet Of water. think the divers can
get to her without much trouble. Drel-
lishak holds the record, but that
doesn't mean that the others aren't all
capable of doing as we'll should the
need arise. It happened to be Drelli-
shak's turn To go down the day the
record was made All the men are
experienced divers and Mr.. Stilson is
also able to go TO great depths should
the need arise"
Work Organized.
The diving party will work in con-
junction with the officers who have
been designated by Admiral Moore to
conduct the salvage work. Naval Con-
structor ]. A. Furer and Lieut.. c. E.
Smith. The former IS the technical
expert who has had entire charge of
tho lifting pontoons. Lieut. Smith, as
commander OF the submarine flotilla.
has had actual command OF the first
rescue work and will now direct the
salvage job.
Sometime this afternoon there will
he a conference at the naval station.
between those in charge of the various
branches OF the work. At this time
plans will be definitely laid for the
"enduct OF operations.
Pontoons in Shape.
The big scows which have been
fitted as lifting pontoons may be ready
for use by tomorrow morning, work
on them having progressed much fast
er than was anticipated a day or so
ago. However, ii Is hardly likely that
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