Imperial Valley press., 1921-09-27
SUB N AR|NE
RS SINKS
SAN PEDRO
HARB0R
Four Men Believed to Have
Lost Lives When Unac-
cOuntable Accident Hap
pens. Divers Working to
Raise Ship. e.. a. s3.s
(By Associated Press)


SAN PEDRO, Sept. 27.-Three men
are believed to have lost their lives
when submarine R-6 sank in Los An
geles harbor last night as the result
of an unexplained accident, it was
stated at the submarine base early
today.
The electrician, whose name was
given as Spaulsberg, was said to have
been blown from the craft by the ex-
plosion, while j. Dreffen, seaman, was
reported imprisoned. Officers stated
that they believed another man had
also gone down with the craft. Divers
are working in 85 feet Of water in an
effort to raise the vessel.
SAN PEDRO, Sept. 27.-Two sub
marines from the base here early this
morning were searching the outer har-
Dor in an attempt to locate the bodies
of two members of the crew of the R-6
when the submarine sank in the aar-
Dor last night. Naval officials stated
that the cause of the sinking was un-
known but that an Investigation will
be started Immediately to determine
the responsibility for the sinking of
the vessel.
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 27.-The
submarine R-6, attached to the Pacific
fleet and anchored in the outer harbor
at San Pedro, sank at 1880 o'clock
last night, according to information
received by the Los Angeles Examiner.
1t is thought the disaster was caused
by water rushing into the submarine
fhro11un oman tornado fnha
A landing party from the flagship
California, told the Examiner that
they were unable to give a detailed
account of the sinking but they be-
lieved that while members of the
crew were filling a cylinde:I with
alcohol the tubes of the vessel be-
came opened in some unaccountable
manner and she sank within 60
seconds.
The crew of the re included 20
officers and men and efforts are be-
ing made to check the accounted for
and the missing and determine if any
more were lost. Up to midnight no
statement had been issued by navy
officials.
1t is said that the submarine went
down bow first. AS soon as the alarm
was sounded search lights from all
ships of the fleet lying at anchor in
the harbor We're turned onto the
scene of the disaster.
According to the Examiner execu-
tive officers of the submarine base
and the Pacific fleet were immedi-
ately called into conference aboard
the flagship California. Advices re-
garding the reported sinking were
telegraphed to the navy department
hat Washington and preparations were
made for rescue work.
Admiral Eberle, who at present is
in San Diego, was notified of the ac-
cident and it is expected that he will
return Immediately to San Pedro to-
morrow morning to attend meeting
of a court of inquiry which will in
vestigate the sinking of he vessel.
The R-6 was tied up to the tender
Camden when she sank. That the
death list was not larger and that
only one submarine was involved is
thought to have been due to the
presence of mind of one of the sailors,
whose name is not known. who, it
is said, when the R-6 began to settle,
ran up the fore peak and cut the
hawsers by which the submarine was
moored to the Camden and two other
vessels of similar type of the R-G
Divers are working feverishly in
thought to have been on the stricken
vessel, may be alive in the vessel
which is resting on the harbor floor
under IS feet of water The belief
was expressed that should this man
still he in the R-6 he may be alive
providing he was successful in closing
the compartments into which the
water rp>hed through open tubes.