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

IS BduOu after the raising Oh the f-4 WIS
composed of Admiral Clifford J..
Boush. chairman; Lieut.. X. B. Critten-
den. commanding the submarine no.
tilla here; Lieut-comdr. J. A. Furer,
naval constructor, and Lieut.. Harry
r. Bogusch. u. s. N, recorder. A pre-
liminary set OF findings had been
made by an earlier board before the
F4 was raised. these findings discuss
ing what could be learned Of the sub
marines condition before the fatal
II dive
clst 81 Findings.
The gist of the findings Is as fol-
lows:
The primary cause OF the disaster
was the corroded condition Of the lead
lining Of the battery tank, and, IN
consequence, OF certain riyets In the
port wall Of the forward battery steel
tank
safety Efforts In Vain.
The vessel developed strong ten
dency 70 dive
Upon these intimations Of danger
there followed:
"UpFudder. but. due to the poor
dying qualities OF the vessel, az
eravated by the additional quantity Of
water taken in through the port wall
- ef the forward battery tank. vessel
did not respond, but. in fact, eontin.
ned 10 descend and downward mo-
Inentum gained before propellers were
stopped.
WN Automatic blow was tripped. and
blow valve on auxiliary tank opened
LII sIn}the endeayor 20 check the down
ward momentum maueuvering Win
All propellers probably took place.
"A The appreciable length Of time
requisite for air TO build up In ballast
"a talks Cor the expulsion OF sufficient
Quantities Of water resulted IN yessei
reaching crushing depths.
seams Of the vessel began TO open
s. and. probably through open torpedo
tubes and seams--Watef entered the
vessel. A condition Of positive buoy
~ ~ ancy was never attained
There followed actual disaster.
vessel began filing with water.
..k Seek Refuge In Engine Room.
- "a .'Personnel abandoned stations and
many sought refuge In the engine
S.. room. closing is door.
- af4n. Hinder great pressure engine room
buIfhead failed suddenly, leaying-
~ vessel on bottom. completely
nooded.
s1S FuII Findings.
t4s1 - The report IN full Ii as follows:
Navy Department.
s3 October 25. 1915.
The Navy Department has received
2ais TIE report Of the Board Of ofncefs aR
et ~ nnfnted To Investigate the causes OF
sEe ioss 81 Submarine Boaf "a The
z1as conclusions of the Board are as fol-,
lows.
&c TIE accident which caused the
loss Of the u. S. s. IA ON the morn
~ ing Of March 25. 1915. occurred before
en3 the vessel reached the predetermmec
depth for which the automatic blow
81 had been set-Which depth, the boarq
assumes was less than 100 Feet as re
ed CURED by the Departments Order
2. Some member Of personnel opener
blow valves on one hundred-pouns
sseGismanifold to forward main ballast ans
~ 4 automatic blow-which blow war
found connected with forward main
middle main. and after main Dafias'
fanls: and that therefore.
zs The most effective procedure fQi
bringing the vessel to the surface vas
carried out.
..sss 8. Diving rudder indicators read
seven degrees rise on bow rudders ane
ffteen and oue-hah degrees rise OF
after diving rudders: and that. there
fore
These indications signify that tnf
diving rudders were used to assist n
bringing the vessel 70 the surface. 8
4. Diving rndders are operated
through worm and sector, and that
tkerefofe- +.
The positions Of the rudder hitnca
tors are not the result OF external
working OF the rudders but are, II
fact the angles TO which the rudders
were last moved by the personnel
"a Exnel Water.
s. Automatic blow found tripped and
kf<-r, xro1woo fnrwa rd main ballast