Douglas daily dispatch., 1927-12-18

sank after a collision off Block
island in September, 1925, there was
much speculation as to how long
the men imprisoned in the submarine,
provided, they were still alive, might
be able to ward off death.
The crew of the S-51, which had
| been on the surface, was given about
40 hours, but it was not known here
I how long the S-4 had been running
submerged or how low was its supply
of oxygen when it was rammed by
the coast guard destroyer Paulding.
Admiral Hughes, chief OF naval
operations who remained on the job
! tonight to personally direct rescue
operations, was of the opinion that
| the trapped crew could live from one
! to five days. He was hopeful that
! the craft was not lying in more than
| $50 feet OF water, and that the 231
| foot hull could be stood on end, if
necessary, and punctured, the men
! leaving from the tip sticking out
of the water
! Although assured that every effort
was being made to rescue the men
! in the sd, Admiral Hughes had no
advices tonight that any had been
saved. After four hours search in the
vicinity OF the disaster, word came
from the Boston navy yard that no
survivors had been picked Up.
! All reports indicated that the S-4,
when struck, was partly or wholly
submerged, and this was believed
to have precluded any escape before
the submersible settleo.
Admiral Hughes was in constant
communication with nearby naval
bases. Word from Boston that an
"oil slock'' had been discovered where
/ the collision occurred convinced naval
officers here that the submarine had
gone down.
Hughes ordered the Boston navy
yard to dispatch divers to the scene,
/ directing that they descend to the
/ sunken vessel and tap the side In
the hope OF receiving signals from
the men inside.
The submarine tender Camden,
which, under Rear Admiral Christie.
4 was in charge, OF rescue operations
after the S-5l sank, was directed to
make all speed for Provincetown and
her commanding officer, Captain
Rrunlby, was told to assume COM
mand. The BushneN, also tender,
and the Falcon and Chewink aux
iliary vessals, were ordered to ac-
company tie Camden. The Falcon
and Chewink took part in the at
tempts to raise the S-51.
Among the experts ordered to the
scene of the collision was Capt. F.
!. King, who had an important part
in the raising OF the S-51. He was
instructed to proceed by plane from
Norfolk, Va to New London, and
ARRANGEMENTS were made to have him
hustled on from there to the rescue
operations.
Tonight orders, went forward from
Secretary Wilbur to Vice Adnirai
Ashley II. Robertson, commander OF
the scouting fleet whose flagship.
wyoming, is at Philadelphia, to dis
patch to the scene whatever cruisers
and destreyers under his command
he believes could be of use.
The aircraft tender Wright was
ordered toi Provincetcwn from Nor
folk, Va. -,
Admiral Hughes was of the opinion
that little could be done toward at
tempting to raise the S-4 before
dawn tomorrow. H &
kilograms were sent by Admiral
Hughes to the next OF kin OF all men
believed to have been on the sub
marine notifying them that it had
been sunk. The customary words OF
sympathy were omitted and the rela-
tiyes were informed that they would
be advised as to future developments.
Later it was decided that Captain
King should proceed to New York by
train and orders were issued to have
a seaplane in readiness there to take
him to Provincetown tomorrow. 1t
was planned that Captain King HOP
off from New York at $3.50 a. m.
The navy department was advised
that II naval divers had left New
port, r. l., by automobile at p. m.
to aid in rescuing the S-4 crew.