New Britain herald., 1926-10-28
Wireless Flashed to New L ondon Sub Base During Night Mistaken for Distress Signals.
Bearings Believed Burned Out on R-2 and RI Is Sent Back to Conn. Shipyards to Get Help.
FELT FOR
 SAFETY OF VESSEL

Washington, Oct. 2s 1p - The new Peruvian submarine R-2 on her maiden voyage to Callao, lies 150 miles east of Cape Henlopen. Del, with her main bearings burn- ed out, and her sister ship, the RI. has returned to the New London. Conn. submarine base to secure assistance.
 News of the breakdown Of the R-2, sent to the navy department today by the New London com- mandant, helped clear up mystery which resulted from receipt of an sos. signal last night indicating that the R-1 was in distress.
 Apparently a message saying tho RI was in trouble was sent out by the steamship Veendijk Radio broadcasting was interrupted for an hour and a half to leave the air free for further messages about tho submarine, but the next one that came in was from the RI herself. saying she needed no assistance and had sent no distress signal. She had, however, asked Amagan- sett station for radio compass bearings.
 The message received today from New London did not indicate that fho 1f vians, was in any immediate dan- ger. ....
 No relief ships are available at New London, but two coast guard cutters, aroused by last night's SOS. already are near the vicinity of the helpless submarine. Her po- sition is given as latitude Ss.23 longitude 7l.42. "a.
 Ri at Dock
 New London, Conn, Oct. 2s R-- The Peruvian submarine RI, which left here October 21 with its sister craft, the R-2, on the $500 mile cruise to the naval base in Callao harbor, was back alongside the Groton dock of the Electric Boat company at 3:30 this morn ing.
 According to officials Of the com- pany, the R-1 was sent back by the fiotilla commander, Enrique Monge, when the R-2 developed burned out main bearings 15o miles east of Cape Henlopen, Del.
 The RI did not come for as- distance. said the officials. who said that Commonder Monge announced he would get aid from shore and apparently sent the Ri back be- cause "he was incensed" over tho bad fortune of the R-2.
 Ships to the Rescue
 The vessel carries a crew Of 2s officers and men. The coast guard cutters Gresham and Hammond from Atlantic City were reported to be searching for the stricken submarine, and the 100 foot patrol boat Eagle was despatched from Block Island early this morning to join in the search. The submarine. when located, will be brought back to this city for repairs.
 It. Commander Pablo Ontaneda, skipper of the RI. reported upon the arrival of his vessel here, that the R-2 first developed engine trouble late yesterday afternoon as the two vessels, en route from Newport to Callao. Peru. were at sea off Cape May. He said that Commander Enrique Monge, head of the Peruvian naval commission In the United States, who sailed on the R-2 as flotilla commander, ordered him to return to New Lon. don last night after all attempts to get tow line aboard the R-2 in the heavy seas had failed.
 Bearings Burned Out
 Commander Ontaneda said that the first indication that the R-2 was in trouble was given about { o'clock yesterday afternoon when radio message was received by him from Commander Jose Alzamora, commanding the R-2, to the effect that five bearings of the main starboard engine had been burned out. A short time later a message was received that two bearings Of the main port motor had gone. and that the vessel was drifting help lessly and in need of a tow Com- mander ontaneda said that he maneuvered as close as possible to the R-2 and attempted to get q tow line aboard her, Heavy seas forestalled the success Of the move, however. and after many efforts had failed, Commander Ontaneda was ordered to return to this city for assistance, The despatching of the cutter Eagle followed a report made by him upon his arrival to local coast guard officials.
 No Word Heard Today
 Attempts were made by the RI today to communicate with her stricken sister ship. but all efforts failed, and considerable anxiety was felt for the vessel. from which nothing has been heard since the l (Continued on Page Fiftssnl