Destroyer Mahan sent to search for lost Grayson plane. Expect to release U. S. S. Wright to-morrow (Tuesday). Lighthouse Service placed buoys previously requested.

The officer in charge of rescue and salvage operations at Provincetown requested self-propelled oil barge from commandant first naval district in order to obviate necessity of sending salvage ships off station to refuel.

DECEMBER 27, 1927

U. S. S. James K. Paulding arrived Provincetown 16.10 (4.10 p. m.) December 27.

Several naval vessels doing dispatch duty in connection with S-4 operations detached to engage in search for lost Grayson plane.

Officer in charge of rescue and salvage operations reports by dispatch timed 16.45 (4.45 p. m.), December 27, that weather fair and clear with gentle northwestern moderate west then freshening southwest wind. Sea smooth but rising. Diving continued until 15.40 (3.40 p. m.) when Falcon had to leave mooring on account heavy sea and wind. Air temperature, average 34°. Divers Carr, Kelly, Wickwire, Eadie, Mattox, Davis, Sugram, Campbell, and Baker engaged in shifting descending lines. Rigged new descending lines at stern. Passed to pontoon reeving lines. Began work on another tunnel. U. S. S. Wright released and departed for Hampton Roads at 15 (3 p. m.).

New type diving telephones ordered from Pittsburgh Deep Sea Diving Telephone Co., are to be shipped as completed. Iuka and Penobscot with derrick United States in tow left New London for Provincetown.

DECEMBER 28, 1927

Dispatch from officer in charge of rescue and salvage operations timed 10.15 (10.15 a. m.) December 28, states: "Falcon moored over S-4 at 7 (7 a. m.) and diving was resumed at 8 (8 a. m.) to continue work on tunnels. Weather fair, partly overcast; wind and sea fairly smooth.

Iuka and Penobscot towing derrick United States arrived Provincetown 1310 (1.10 p. m.) December 28.

The officer in charge of rescue and salvage operations by dispatch timed 16.50 (4.50 p. m.) December 28 to Bureau of Navigation states number of divers available and qualified for submarine salvage inadequate for full days work when employed in pairs which will be the general rule from now on. This dispatch gives names of certain men considered to have qualifications as deep sea divers or excellent prospects to qualify as such and requested Navigation to order two to Falcon as soon as possible. This was done.

Dispatch from officer in charge of rescue and salavage operations timed 16.45 (4.45 p. m.) December 28 reports arrival of Iuka, Penobscot, and derrick United States. Iuka returned to New York, but Penobscot was retained at Provincetown for salvage work. Divers Crilley, Burd, Eiben, Wilson, Scott, Grude, Eadie, and Mattox completed tunnel at frame No. 46 in to keel on starboard side and divers Campbell, Baker, Carr, and Kelly began working in from port to complete tunnel. This being all divers available. Am asking for additional divers in separate dispatch.

Suggestion made by OpNav regarding getting reeving lines under S-4. The officer in charge replies that idea was tried on S-51, but means additional rigging and consequent complications. Modification of the suggested idea will be tried. On December 28, officers and men of S-4 were declared dead as of December 17, except those known to be in torpedo room who were declared dead as of December 21, and next of kin officially notified. Prior to this next of kin had been constantly kept informed of progress of rescue and salvage operations.

DECEMBER 29, 1927

The officer in charge of rescue and salvage operations reports by dispatch timed 10.10 (10.10 a. m.) December 29, weather overcast with wind of force 4 to 5 miles per hour from south and moderate sea. Falcon turned head to sea with heavy mooring, so far riding well, but will have to unmoor if wind and sea increase. Divers went down at 8.30 to continue washing tunnels.

Additional divers being enrolled and ordered to S-4 operations.

Report from officer in charge of rescue and salvage operations times 16.30 (4.30 p. m.) December 29, states rain began at 11.30 and continues, rising wind

and sea obliged Falcon suspend diving at 12 (noon) and unmoor. Falcon then proceeded Provincetown Harbor to practice pontoon drill. Daily examination and inspection of S-6 as model vessel continues. Divers practically finished washing tunnel at frame No. 46. Mohave arrived with fuel oil barge. Southwest storm warning displayed at Provincetown. Wandank on watch at S-4 wreck. Destroyers Sturtevant and Mahan completed search for lost Grayson plane and returned to Boston. Plane not found.

DECEMBER 30, 1927

The Bureau of Navigation directed the commander Scouting Fleet to transfer all divers whose record show qualification and experience for duty connection salvage of S-4. This was in compliance with dispatch from officer in charge of rescue and salvage operations stating that on account of sickness and other temporary disability among proved divers more divers were needed.

Vestal, fleet repair ship, directed to proceed to Provincetown upon completion of navy yard overhaul and to report to commander control force for duty connection salvage of S-4.

Commander control force requests small freight vessel self-propelled, for transporting heavy materials beyond capacity of ships' boats.

Arrangements made to ship high-powered underwater lights from research laboratory at Bellevue, D. C.

Dispatch from officer in charge of rescue and salvage operations timed 17.05 (5.05 p. m.), December 30 states that pontoon drill and fueling completed about 11 a. m., then Bushnell, Falcon, and Sagamore proceeded in dense fog to S-4 which Falcon located at 12.30 and moored with difficulty. Weather and sea conditions excellent for diving. Divers Carr, Kelly, Eadie, Mattox, Campbell and Eiben continued work on tunnel at frame No. 46. Will continue work tonight until completed. Divers had difficulty in tunnel due to caving sides but were extricated by fellow divers.

Recalled to service additional fleet reservists who were qualified and experienced in deep-sea diving.

In order to facilitate communication to and from the officer in charge of rescue and salvage operations of S-4, a separate call was assigned. Heretofore the call of the commander control force had been used, which call of necessity was used for all other communications to and from the commander control force in connection with handling of control force, much of which had nothing to do with salvage of S-4.

A dispatch from officer in charge of salvage operations timed 2240 December 30, stated that tunnel at frame No. 46 has been completed and a three-quarter-inch line has been passed under S-4 and secured on top. Falcon will leave mooring as soon as divers can be brought up.

Department granted authority for S-8 to take Congressman La Guardia, of New York, on trip.

Shipping notified of special warning signal by Falcon when moored over S-4 in foggy weather.

Commander S-4 salvage force by dispatch timed 9.50 December 31, states light southwest wind with smooth sea and dense fog. Falcon entered moorings and divers began work on engine room hatch having first to tear up wood grating and take off large nut on hatch center bolt and then back out bolt and let strong back drop down inside then remove ladder leading to engine room. Detailed arrangements made for dealing with expected bodies and their prompt transfer to Boston for identification and shipment.

Bureau Navigation representative, identification section, sent to Boston. Unable to use high-power underwater lamps because of absence of proper voltage on Falcon.

A dispatch from commander S-4 salvage force timed 15.20 (3.20 p. m.) states that fog continues wind and sea are rising and barometer falling rapidly. Northwest storm warning received. Divers proceeded with work mentioned in my previous dispatch (01.31-09.50) to point where backed-out center bolt in engine room hatch cover when water began to enter boat. Hole was plugged but consideration showed necessity to enter boat to raise it so plug was removed and diver began removal of wooden decking around motor room hatch. While no signals were heard at any time except from torpedo room regard present condition of engine room as confirmation of original decision in coupling air hose to salvage line to main ballast tanks before that to compartments on principle that entire boat might come up.

A later dispatch from commander S-4 salvage force timed 16.35 (4.35 p. m.) December 31 U. S. S. Mallard relieved Sagamore on watch at wreck. Wind and sea continue to rise. Continued training and other preparations.

A still later dispatch from commander S-4 salvage force gives position of periscopes of S-4 on further examination.

A dispatch from commander S-4 salvage force timed 17.35 (5.35 p. m.) December 31 states that divers completed stripping off deck around motor room hatch by which time conditions were such that Falcon unmoored and anchored clear of moorings. Weather still foggy. At time last diver came up water was still flowing through center bolt hold in engine-room hatch.

JANUARY 1, 1928

Commander S-4 salvage force reports by dispatch timed 9.45 January 1 that fresh westerly winds are increasing and rough sea rising; diving impracticable. Northwest storm warning displayed. All vessels in harbor except Sagamore on watch at wreck. Day will be spent in preparations for continuing work as soon as weather and sea permit.

JANUARY 2, 1928

Commander S-4 salvage force reports in dispatch timed 17.35 (5.35 p. m.) January 2, that wind and sea moderating, also temperature. Continued preparatory work as before. Wandank now on watch at wreck.

In answer to dispatches from OPNAV (3830-1000) and (3828-1215) the commander S-4 salvage force states that Bushnell supplemented by Boston Navy Yard should be adequate for material requirements and that services of neither Vestal (repair ship) nor Dobbin (tender) are considered necessary.

A dispatch from commander S-4 salvage force timed 9.10 January 2 reports moderate westerly gale and rough sea; temperature 16°. Training of divers and other preparations will continue.

JANUARY 3, 1928

Commander S-4 salvage force by dispatch timed 10.25 (10.25 a. m.) January 3 reports weather bright and clear with gentle southwesterly breeze and smooth sea; air temperature 22°. Bushnell, Falcon, and Sagamore underway from harbor 6.30 (6.30 a. m.). After careful preparation of air apparatus of all divers, the Falcon conducted test in harbor yesterday at 9 a. m.; air temperature 17° at bottom, using divers' helmets with control valve adjusted to normal. Test showed divers' air lines clogged with ice and snow in about five minutes on deck. Air lines also clogged with ice and snow with helmet over side near bottom. Falcon repeated tests later in day with same results. Before attempting to send divers down to-day, repeated and amplified tests at S-4 location under excellent weather and sea conditions at about 9 a. m. with air temperature 22°, surface water 36°, and bottom water 38°, when obtained similar results. No diving will be undertaken while these conditions continue. Congressman LaGuardia now on S-8 en route to Boston.

NOTE. This is first indication of trouble with snow and ice clogging divers' air lines. Extensive experiments were conducted to overcome this very serious difficulty. This difficulty was later successfully overcome.

A later dispatch from commander S-4 salvage force, timed 17.10 January 3, states weather continued good all day though wind shifted to northwest and freshened somewhat, but diving was practicable except for conditions reported in my previous dispatch (ice and snow in divers' air lines). Further tests, amplified and improved, confirm previous results (snow and ice in divers' air lines). Steps are underway to permit analyses of cause and therefore means of possible control. Have ready a dummy diver complete which will be lowered to bottom each morning and tested. If clogging is indicated, no diver will be sent down; if no clogging is detected, one diver will be sent down, using utmost precaution.

JANUARY 4, 1928

Commander S-4 salvage force reports by dispatch timed 8.30 January 4 that strong breezes freshening to moderate gale from west-southwest and very rough sea make diving out of question and boating impracticable, so Bushnell, Falcon, and S-6 will proceed into harbor for examination by salvage officers, training of divers, and trial of salvage attachments on S-6. Sagamore remains on watch at wreck.

In connection with problem to prevent snow and ice forming in divers' air lines, the commander S-4 salvage force states that he requires means for determining relative humidity of atmosphere, using apparatus workable on board Falcon at scene of S-4 wreck, wet and dry bulb thermometers not usable in freezing weather. A dispatch from commander S-4 salvage force timed 15.55 (3.55 p. m.) January 4 states that temperature is increasing. Falcon moored over $-4 about 11 a. m. and repeated test with dummy diver. Diver Applegate then went down and opened engine room hatch. Divers Eiben, Wilson, and Mattox then went down together and first two entered engine room and brought out three bodies, which are now in Bushnell and will be sent to Boston via U. S. S. Maury to-night. Diving continues. New telephones worked very well.

A later dispatch time 19.55 (7.55 p. m.) January 4 states divers Crilley and Campbell entered engine room with Mattox tending their lines through engineroom hatch. Campbell reports engine-room door to control room closed; he then started aft, but belt strap parted and let belt drop down; he got out all right, but had to end diving and bring all three divers up, by which time darkness stopped further work. U. S. S. Maury sailed for Boston at 18.05 (6.05 p. m.) with the three recovered bodies.

JANUARY 5, 1928

Reports from S-4 operations, timed 8.30 January 5, state strong breezes freshening to moderate gale from west-southwest and very rough sea make diving out of question. Bushnell, Falcon, and S-6 will proceed harbor for training of divers. A later dispatch, timed 17.30 (5.30 p. m.) January 5, stated that salvage force remained in harbor training divers and trying salvage attachments, weather moderating.

JANUARY 6, 1928

A dispatch from commander S-4 salvage force timed 17.35 (5.35 p. m.), January 6, stated that wind and sea moderated at noon. Falcon returned to moorings. Divers Ingram, Scott, McNulty, Kelly, Wickwire, and Burd were down and removed four bodies which are being sent on Maury. Wind and sea rising. Falcon is unmooring.

JANUARY 7, 1928

Report from commander S-4 salvage force timed at 12 (noon) January 7, states " sea smooth; temperature 42°. Divers Eadie, Carr, and Applegate, Wilson, Eiben, and Maddox dove during forenoon. Six bodies recovered in engine room to-day."

A later dispatch timed at 18 (6 p. m.), January 7, states that during afternoon Crilley, Baker, Kelly, Wickwire, Burd, Ingram, Scott, and Burns went down and recovered four bodies. The divers went as far aft as the forward part of the motor room and as far forward as the wardroom in the control room. No bodies were found in the control room.

JANUARY 8, 1928

The commander S-4 salvage force reports by dispatch timed 12.10, January 8, that Divers Eadie, Carr, Michaels entered control room, cleared wreckage in forward passageway and found forward door closed but not dogged. Eadie dogged forward control room door, closed wash room drain valve and voice tube bulkhead valve. Overcast, light breeze, sea smooth. Diving continues. A later dispatch timed at 19.25 (7.25 p. m.), January 8, states weather same except occasional light rain. Divers inside and outside. Closed flapper valve in battery ventilation duct coming through battery room bulkhead checked closing of control room main ventilation valve and closed drain of same and also drain from main induction valve, operated five valves on trim and bilge lines in preparation for unwatering control room. Divers inside and outside attempted open motor room hatch but were balked by air trapped in hatch trunk and in motor room above top of door. Divers Kelly and Wickwire inside with Burke outside continued work begun by Eiben and Wilson in control room. Nichol and Carr affected by "bends," but both are responding to treatment.

JANUARY 9, 1928

Report from commander S-4 salvage force timed at 11.25, January 9, states that weather is overcast, sea smooth, heavy fog. Falcon moored. Fog lifted somewhat. After completing last night's work divers reported snow and ice particles coming into helmet during diving. Put over dummy diver this morning and also divers air line with control valve open. Normal amount placed at 100 feet and hose leading therefrom to deck. After thorough trial of these two devices decided to undertake diving which is now beginning.

A later dispatch timed at 16.50 (4.50 p. m.), January 9, states weather same with heavy mist. Divers Ingram and Grube cleared away around motor room hatch, then Campbell and Crilley opened motor room hatch. Campbell then went down hatch but air line clogged so he came on deck when air line clogged again, so brought up both divers and discontinued diving.

JANUARY 10, 1928

Commander S-4 salvage force by dispatch timed 8.55, January 10, reports bright and clear with fresh westerly breeze, sea too rough for diving. Divers will train and rehearse on S-6 where salvage gear will be tried. Wandank on watch at wreck.

A later dispatch timed at 19.15 (7.15 p. m.), Janyary 10, states that work was continued in harbor, fueling, instructing divers, and preparing for sealing compartments on S-4, As sea continued too rough for diving, sent down Divers Eiben and Crilley in harbor to make additional tests of new type telephones and develop means of calling divers when his air is turned on full and voice of talker can not well be heard. Telephone tests were satisfactory and should result in better communication when diving. Consultation held with Mr. Simon Lake and Sloane Danenhower in connection with scheme of general salvage operations.

JANUARY 11, 1928

S-3 arrived Provincetown at 1.30 (1.30 p. m.). Camden with commander submarine division 4 arrived Provincetown.

A dispatch timed 12, January 11, states weather favorable, diving resumed. Divers Campbell and Crilley closed all valves in motor room, preparatory to blowing down and recovered six bodies. Divers made further examination in

motor room.

A later dispatch timed 12.50 states that divers Eadie and Carr recovered eight additional bodies, making a total of 14 to-day.

Parks Cramer Co., of Boston, consulted in effort to prevent divers' air lines being clogged with snow and ice.

NOTE. On January 4, Dr. W. C. Grew, from Bellevue Research Laboratory, had been sent to Provincetown to assist in preventing freezing of divers' air lines. A dispatch from commander S-4 salvage force timed 16.45 (4.45 p. m.), January 11, states moderate westerly breezes, moderate sea. Divers working outside and inside, entered motor room and found motor room ventilation valve closed, but could not reach drain valve. Found bulkhead voice tube valve closed and passed up six bodies. Divers Eadie inside and Carr outside motor room recovered eight bodies more. Further searched motor room and recovered one body. Search further made in engine room, but found no more bodies. Total, 15 bodies recovered to-day, now on Mahan underway for Boston. Total, 32 bodies recovered so far. Rising sea and wind required stop diving. Bushnell transferred stores of division 12 to Camden.

JANUARY 12, 1928

Commander S-4 salvage force reports by dispatch, timed 9.55, January 12, that weather is generally overcast with gentle northwesterly breezes, smooth sea; temperature 44°. Falcon moored at 7.20. Divers began clearing away deck and emptying deck lockers around torpedo room hatch in preparation for placing strong back for arrangements to unwater torpedo room.

A later dispatch, timed 18.20 (6.20 p. m.), states weather fine, sea smooth. Divers placed and secured strong back on torpedo-room hatch, holes drilled in torpedo-room hatch for air blowing connection. Court of inquiry completed inspection and desired tests and returned to Boston.