Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-09-01
SERIOUS WEAKNESSES
COMMON TO "F,, TYPE,

WASHINGTON, August 3I.-Serious
weaknesses common to all four of the
submarines Of the IF" type are pointed
out in the report made public to-day,
or the board which made an investiea-
tion at Honolulu Immediately after the
loss OF the F-4 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 twenty-five men who lost their
lives in the disaster.
With the F-4 now In dry dock at
rHoaolulu, a new+board. headed tr@R ar
4Alinai eusisr -a,se--, ireenr ed
to- ascertain. II possible. the cause OF
the 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 secped into
the cells of the storage batteries of the
boats OF the p class, causing the
evolution of chlorine gas, which is
quickly destructive of life"
In connection with the following
principal findings of the board, 1t is
pointed out that each defective condi-
ton reported as to the F-4 obtained in
all boats Of the class:
The structure of the hull of the
submarine torpedo boat FL was regu-
larly inspected. and the condition as to
repair and upkeep was excellent, only
the most minor corrosion having taken
place
The structure of the hull had not
suffered loss of strength by corrosion
of hull plating.
PRoPELLING ENGINES
HAVE INHERENT FAULTS
The propelling engines diesel oil
type cycle) have inherent faults. and
are difficult to keep in repair. but were
kept in as high state of efficiency
as was practicable within the limita-
tions Of said design.
This unsatisfactory condition OF the
propelling engines had no bearing on
the loss OF the submarine. rs this boat
at the time OF her loss was being pro-
PEELED by the electric motors and stor-
age batteries.
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
ton. Pearl Hnrbor, territory of Hawaii.
THE storage batteries were in good
condition within the limitations OF de-
sign.
The storage batteries were always
in a state of being more or less cleo
tricany grounded, due to the leakage
eiectrolyte, or by capillary action OF
the electrolyte or moisture and poor In
suia tion, or bad electrical contact, and
these said grounds have been noted to
be of sufficient Intensity at times to
cause fame and the fusing OF electrical
connections
This condition is we'll known to the
officers and men Of this submarine tor
pedo-boat division. and due care Is re-
quired In attempting to reduce this dan.
ger to a minimum.
EVOLVED QUANTITIES
OF HYDROGEN GAS
THE storage batteries during the
charging, evolved excessive quantities
Of hydrogen gas. and further, during
the early states of discharging guam
titles of hydrogen gas was evolved in
the fumes Of hydrogen and OF acid be-
came noticeable In the interior of the
boat on long dives.
ION the F-4 on March 6, 1915. while
one electrical ventilator blower was
stopped for short period for minor re-
pairs. probably from ground in the
ventilating blowers electrical circuit, n
hydrogen explosion took place which
damaged the battery deck and broke
several separators OF the cells of the
storage batteries.
"rhe conditions under which an ex-
plosion OF hydrogen Is always possible
obtain In all the boats OF the 'F'' class.
,The covering over the storage bat
teries OF tho battery deck. In accord
nncp with specifications for submarine
torpedo boat No. os-is to he practically
Has-tight and water-tight, which con-
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