The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-05-24
Seven Rescued In First
 Batch From Submarine
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rom Page D
 and breathe under water while let ting themselves gradually to the surface along line extending from the submarine and to a buoy it re- leases.
 The "lungs" are supposed to be effective to depth of 250 feet but the Squalus was so near the maxi mum depth that it was feared they might be hazardous.
 Under Water Pressure
 On stepping out of the submarine, the men would be under water pres sure of 105.6 pounds per square inch. If they survived that pressure, they would be in danger of the bends" as they rose toward the surface and the pressure lessened.
 Failing in both those methods, 1t would be necessary for the rescuerS to proceed as they had originally planned-raise the submarine with the men in it, by sending down div CTS to close the opened valve, con- meet hose lines to the flooded com- partments and force the water out of them by pumping in air. The Falcon was equipped for such a task, but it would take all day at least and tomorrow's dawn may find the entomed men dying in agony, their oxygen exhausted.
 Oxygen For 4S Hours
 The men awaiting rescue had oxygen enough for 48 hours when they went down. They had plenty of drinking water, food in every compartment, mostly canned pork and beans, and when telephone communication was established with them over a line extending from the Squalus to a buoy on the surface, before the line snapped, there were still lights aboard.
 If the lighting system failed they were in absolute darkness. The pro- cedure in such emergencies would be for them to sit or lie perfectly still so as not to quicken their breathing and require more of the dwindling oxygen. They are hardened to such ordeals which they learn to expect in this most hazardous branch of naval service, and are well trained in methods of meeting them.
 Rear Admiral Cyrus w. Cole, aboard the Sculpin, was directing the rescue work, but President Roosevelt and navy department au- thorities in Washington were watch ing developments closely.
 President Gets Reports
 MT. Roosevelt was getting hourly reports on rescue work. Admiral William D. Leahy, chief of naval operations, was in constant corn- munication with his headquarters in Washington. Navy communities tions and intelligence officers were on 24-hour watch here.
 Gathered at the scene of the sinking were the Sculpin, the naval tug Pennock, the destroyer Semmes from New London, Conn.,, and the coast guard patrol boats Thetis and Harriet Lane. Naval deep sea ex- perts who speeded here by airplane and automobile from Washington, were being transported out from Portsmouth and rescue and salvage gear was being mobilized from all North Atlantic stations.
 Raising Of Submarine
 It had been planned until 2 A. M. (EDT) today to try to raise the submarine first by charging the flooded chambers with compressed air, thus forcing the water out. But at that hour, when the men had been imprisoned for IT hours and rumors, unfounded on the basis of known facts, were circulating that several of them had been drowned, it was decided to release the men first and let the salvaging of the submarine wait.
 The Squalus, newest American submarine, is laid out as follows, from stern to bow: Rear torpedo room, two engine rooms, battery room and crew quarters, control room (amidships), forward battery room and officers quarters, bow tor pedo room.
 Launched Last Sept.
 The SQualus, launched last Sept. 14 at a cost of $5,000,0 900. widowed on the blue mud in one of the deep est sections of the navy's proving ground, five miles east of the Isle of Shoals and 15 miles east of Hampton Beach, N. H.
 Divers had gone down from the Sculpin for @ preliminary survey, but nothing could be done until the Falcon arrived from New London with cranes, air compressors, de- compression tanks, underwater cut- ting tools and the diving bell.
 There were three civilians aboard the squalus, Don Smith, General Motors representative. and Harold Preble and Charles M. Wood, Ports- mouth navy yard employees. The sculpin had l2 divers aboard and 16 more. who flew from the Washington naval diving school to Newport, R. l.. late yesterday and rushed here by automobiles, were taken out to the scene early today aboard the dispatch boat Marie Lane. Four diving officers accom- panied them.
 The wives and relatives of the trapped men were taken to the horne s4f Qantain H R NrneOi0b In