Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-06
UNDERSEA RESCUE
METHODS DOUBTED
Navy Board Holds Avoidance
Of Collisions Best Safety
Rule for Submarines.


There is no method Of construction or
scheme for rescue which will assure the
saving of the lives of members of the
crew Of sunken submarine, according
to the report Of the Naval Submarine
Safety and Salvage Board recently sub
mitted to Secretary of the Navy Adams
and made public today.
The board recommended that all eff
forts be made to reduce the danger of
collision or other accidents which might
lead to accidental submersion Of sub
marines.
1.-THE principal remedy for faults in
this respect" the board stated In con-
GLIDING its report, will lie In the care
full selection and training Of the person.
mel, although we believe that this has
been carried to high degree already
But no degree Of selection and training
viii ever wholly eliminate the fallibility
OF those charged with the operation Of
submarines and other vessels.
Sees No Sure Rescue CONSTRUCTION.
Furthermore. no method Of con-
salvage viii assure in all cases the
rescue Of the crew or the salvage Of
the boat. While the interest shown by
the public In submitting thousands OF
suggestions and the study and research
that was required to estimate their
value no doubt fjroadened OUR vision, we
found only q few suggestions as pre-
sented that we recommended for con-
sideration," the board said.
I; The board, named in June, 1923, fol-
lowing the S-4 disaster, TO consider
various safety devices from civilian and
naval sources. consisted Of DR.. 8. w.
Stratton, president Of Massachusetts,
Institute Of Technology, as chairman:
". R. Whitney, vice president Of the
General Electric Co.: T. A. Scott of the
Merritt. Chapman-Scott Salvage Cor
poration. Rear Admiral Joseph Strauss,
retired, and Rear Admiral d. w. Tay-
Tor, retired. Lieut.. Comdr. George A.
Food. who has had long tour of duty
IN submarine service, was appointed Sec
rotary Of the board.
Outline Of Suggestions.
Definite suggestions recited BY the
board In It's report and culled from
among the S,30A letters dealing with
4,g71 plans and ideas, comprised: De-
velopment Of the close type of escape
chamber" which would be lowered from
above: installation Of lifting eyes on
submarines: placing Of manholes OF
matches on the end compartments; use
OF buoys capable Of carrying light wire
from the submarine to the surface in
communication and to serve as markers
and the equipping Of the undersea craft
with signal bombs, similar to those de-
veloped by the Bureau Of Ordnance Of
the Navy, as recognition signals and TO
assist IN locating disabled submarine
on the sea bottom.
The development and use Of .The
Lung" were dealt with exhaustiyely by
the board, which pointed out that
slightly more than half the submarines
of the American Navy. I'm and out OF
commission, are not provided with
matches in the aftermost compartment,
and will have to be so provided. to en-
able this new equipment TO be effective
~ used
Plans and Ideas CLASSIFIED.
The 4,971 plans and ideas considered
by the board fell into these classes:
Buoy. providing means for furnishing
air, light, communication or food and
means Of access to lifting cables, T06;
escape compartment or chamber (de-
tachable or mott with or without cable
and reel In submarine, life boat, escape |
locks, exit or diving compartments and |
escape matches, Ol6; salvage, numerous |
types Of lifting devices and vessels. |
SOS; miscellaneous combination of sew
eral types ia one letter. such as diving
suits, helmets, etc.--890: tubes, rescue |
tubes, flexible tubes Of canvas. rubber,
leather, metal, ETC., and telescope |
tubes Of metal. etc, 284: hose connec- |
tons including valves. fittings, caps, !
ment to furnish air, food. ETC., us: |
diving bells or similar devices on the |
diving bell principle. 324: rings. hooks,
eyes, bands, etc, ass; electromagnetic, |
2B; drilling machines and tapping, 40.
signal rockets, flares, bombs, etc, 05: |
criticism, commentator and sugges- |
tons, ~; naval sources, 81. and con-
fldential, 10.
All Ideas Given Consideration.
The boards report pointed out that |
lit was evident that In the vast majority |
Of cases the inpelling motive OF the |
person writing % the department was
8 patriotic desire to be OF service and |
assist the Navy without thought Of |
desire OF reward There were, how.
ever, cases where patents were offered |
for purchase or desire for compensa-
ton for an idea or employment to |
work It out. Regardless Of the motive,
however, all suggestions were given fun
conside ratior. the report explained,
adding that each suggestion vas scrut- |
inized by at least four Of the i've board |
members.
The most numerous Suggestions |
Under the head az escape without aid
81 Operations from surface vessels the
report said. involved the use Of de-
tachable escape chamber" TO be SCI |
cured To the exterior Of the hull. The |
board found this chjec ficnAble on sev-
eral structural grounds