New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-09-28
Two Die When
US. Submarine
Goes TO Bottom
Missing Seaman on R-6
May Be Imprisoned in
Compartment of Craft
in San Pedro Harbor
Others Escape Unhurt
Vessel Believed TO Have
Been Flooded as Water
Forced a Torpedo Tube
Special DISPATCH to The Tribune


LOS ANGELES, Sept. 27.-One sea-
man was drowned and another was i'm
prisoned, either dead or alive, when,
the United States naval submarine R-6
sank suddenly last night in San Pedro
Harbor, west of here. An uncosed
outboard shutter on the rear torpedo
tube. which was being prepared for bat
tie practice, permitted seawater to
force open the breach of the tube and
flood the craft. Several men who we're
at work in her at the time escaped.
Divers at work to-day in water from
to 30 feet deep sealed the vents Of
the submarine--all portfolios had been
left open because Of the excessively
high temperature here last night-and
tomorrow pumps will begin the work
of emptying the hold and bringing the
boat TO the surface.
Water RusheS From Tube
The re- was moored along with nine
other craft of the same type to the
mother ship, Camden, about half way
between the submarine base and the
brcakwater Hawsers bound her to the
Camden and to the ships on either side.
Most of the members OF the crew had
gone aboard the Camden, where the
heat was less intense. Not more than
six men were on the submarine when
suddenly water began to rush from the
rear torpedo tube. The men sprang for
the exits and most Of them got out.
Frank A. SALISBURY, of Powers Lake,
n. D., an electrician one of the last to
leave, is reported to have been blown
out of the craft by minor explosion
that followed the thrush of water and
to have drowned His body has not
been recovered.
Chance One May Be Alive
John E. Dresfein, of Moline, ILL.,, an
other seaman, is believed to have been
unable to reach the companionway, and
to have gone down with the ship. AL
though it is. believed extremely un-
likely that he had sufficient time to
close the vents to any one compart-
ment and make it alright, officials said
that if he had been able to thus fortify
himself there was sufficient air on
the ship to keep him alive for forty
eight hours.
A floating crane that has been at
work in the harbor was towed to the
scene this morning and an unsuccessful
attempt made to lift the submarine.
Later divers were brought and sent
down, but reported that tapping on the
sides of the craft had not brought
any answering knocks from within.
Unwilling, however, to give up hope
that Dresfein is alive, naval officials
pushed the rescue work, and it is
expected that the ship can be brought
to the surface tomorrow
Rear Admiral Herman A. O. Stick
ney, commander of the feet train, said
IL was not absolutely certain that Dres-
fein or anybody else was imprisoned
IN the submarine. Captain w. S. Mil
Ter. commanding the Camden. refused
to give any details Of the accident
Divers Rush Rescue Attempt
Two details of divers under COM
mand of Lieutenant Commander Eric
Barr. engineering officer of the marine
base, carried on the preparations for
lifting the RS. They attached hose
lines through which water will be
pumped and also fixed hawsers for lift
ing the ship when most OF the water
has been drawn out.
The presence Of mind of one of the
seamen escaping from the submarine
prevented more serious accident This
man cut the hawsers that bound the
R-6 to her companion craft and pre-
vented her excessive weight from car
rying them also to the bottom
The submarine was commanded by
Lieutenant /. r. Chambers. LicutenaNt
S. ID. Jutt and Lieutenant J. M. Steele
served as junior officers. Lieutenant
Chambers was the last officer to escape
from the boat. He is an expert swim
mer and aided members of the crew 20
keep afoat until rescued.