Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1915-05-26
WATER IS
CAUSING DELAY
IN SALVAGE WORK
Nothing Can Be Done Toward
Raising F-4 Until Divers
Make Examination :.

Rough water prevented any salvage
work on the snnken submarine this
morning. Lying 4S feet below the sur
face of troubled sea, the F4 is free
of all lines and gear and is marked
only by q buoy, placed to facilitate
the resumption of operations as soon
as that becomes possible.
This morning Rear Admiral c. b.
T. Moore, Naval Constructor J.. A.
Furer and Lieut.. c. e. Smith, the three
officers who have been most actively
engaged in the administrative, the
oretical and practical ends of the
salvage work. held a long conference
at the Honolulu naval station. ~
Every detail of the present situa-
ton was carefully considered and
plans for future operations were
framed, although the carrying out of
these viii depend on local conditions.
As soon as the seas moderate, divers
will be sent down to make a care
full examination of the hull, and report
on its present position. 1t is believed
that this examination will show the
advisability OF blowing" the F-4 to
restore a portion Of its buoyancy, so
that 1t may be lifted with fewer lines.
There is enough wire cable and enough
chain left to form new lifting lines
adequate for the present depth, al
though 1t viii take several days to
place the newslines and get everything
in shape for a final lift and tow
through the channel. =
The divers will be able to work with
comparative ease I'm the depth at
which the FL now lies, provided that
calm day is selected for their opera
tions II may be possible to reeve
lines round the boat; instead of plac-
ing them by dragging, which might
bring the tugs too near the surf for
safety. ..~.%..@-.. ~
The IA got into trouble yesterday
afternoon when the last lap of the UNI
dersseas voyage of the Inflated craft
was about tosbe commenced. Towing
operations had been stopped while the
lines were Cit and the drums of the
lifting scowsi cleared, preparatory to a
final lift and tow up the channel and
alongside the drydock. Two of the
three holding lines parted and the
third was Stacked off to save it. All
this occurred between $3.50 and in
the afternoon, the scows and towing
vessels getting clear of the sunken
boat and seeking shelter in the har-
Dor about the latter hour.
Surf Caused Damage. :.s 49, Il ..-...
According to officers in charge OF
the work. it was surf wave. and not
an ordinary ocean swell, that tore the
F-4 from the scows and parted the
heavy wire and chain cables by which
it was suspended. The submarine was
getting near enough to the reef to
feel the swing Of the waves when a
heavy sea came up almost without
warning. On the scows the work of
cutting lines was in progress. it be-
ing intended to get the excess wire off
the drums and have everything ready
for full lift and tow through the
channel this morning &"~ r..
When it became apparent that the
scows and the pendant submarine
were undergoing severe shaking up,
an attempt was made to raise the F4
and tow her away from the dangerous
proximity to the reef. The tugs In
trepid, Navajo, Mikaala and Helen
were pressed into service and did good
work, hut the condition of the lines
and the position OF the submarine was
such that there was little chance OF