JANUARY 13, 1928 Commander S-4 salvage force reports by dispatch, timed 9.30, January 13, weather is overcast with fresh southerly breezes, moderate sea. Falcon moored and divers will continue and complete work begun yesterday on top of torpedo room. A later dispatch, timed 17.20 (5.20 p. m.), states weather continued generally overcast, occasional light rain, wind shifting to southwestward and freshening. Required rearrangement of salvage vessels and additional lines to hold Falcon in position. Experienced trouble with clogging air lines while testing dummy diver and divers control valve at the bottom but after midday divers finshed drilling and tapping hole in torpedo hatch and secured in place connection for air-blowing hose. Admiral Brumby and two other officers departed for Boston to testify before court of inquiry. JANUARY 14, 1928 Dispatch from commander S-4 salvage force, timed 9.45, January 14, reports weather bright and clear with fresh to strong west northwesterly winds and rough sea, too much for diving. All vessels came into harbor except Wandank on wreck watch. Other vessels following routine for nondiving conditions. A later dispatch, timed 17.30 (5.30 p.m), states, wind and sea went down about 10. Vessel returned to wreck. Weather then continued excellent with light airs and smooth sea. Divers went down through engine room door into control room and forward to battery room door which was undogged and opened. Divers tried to lock shut battery ventilation duct flapper value on battery room side, but were unsuccessful. JANUARY 15, 1928 Dispatch from commander S-4 salvage force timed 10.40, January 15, reports weather generally overcast with moderate to fresh northerly winds and moderate sea, temperature colder. Falcon moored but humidity, temperature and test of dummy diver and of special control valve were unfavorable so Falcon unmoored. A later dispatch timed 17.27 (5.27 p. m.) recommends that electric arc underwater cutting equipment including motor generators be rented or procured because of the unsatisfactoriness of gas torches for underwater cutting now in use by salvage force. A still later dispatch timed 19.26 (7.26 p. m.) states weather clearing and moderating but colder. Test of dummy diver indicates unsatisfactory conditions for diving. Making further investigation of air situation. Diver sent down to 90 feet to burn hole in test plate representing hull of S-4 over torpedo room. Test successful. JANUARY 16, 1928 Dispatch from commander S-4 salvage force timed 11.15, January 16, reports temperature 22°. Test hose with control valve in normal position showed almost complete stoppage of air due to clogging with ice at control valve. Conducting rehearsals of divers in the S-6. A later dispatch timed 19.50 (7.50 p. m.) reports sea calm at noon, temperature slowly rising. Test of dummy diver and control valve indicated satisfactory operation. Divers dressed for diving but when blowing air through helmets considerable snow appeared and control valves clogged with ice. Conditions considered unsafe for diving. Subsequent tests of control valve and hose at 100 feet depth showed almost complete clogging with ice. Divers Eadie, Carr Michaels, Ingram, and Wickwire left for Boston to attend sessions of court of inquiry. JANUARY 17, 1928 Dispatch from commander S-4 salvage force timed 19.30 (7.30 p. m.) January 17, states no diving to-day on account of ice in air lines. Endeavoring to remedy trouble but without entire success so far. Court of inquiry observed S-6 simulating runs of S-4 under weather conditions similar to those obtaining on December 17. JANUARY 18, 1928 Dispatch from commander S-4 salvage force timed 12.50, January 18, states weather clear, sea moderate but ice and snow clogging air lines prevent diving. A later dispatch timed 19.30 (7.30 p. m.) states continued efforts to eliminate formation of ice in air lines. No diving to-day. Boston Navy Yard has commenced manufacture of equipment for installation on Falcon which it is hoped will overcome clogging. JANUARY 19, 1928 Dispatch from commander S-4 salvage force timed 10.40, January 19, states partly overcast with moderate fresh breezes from east, moderate sea for diving; temperature 35°. Falcon moored over S-4 with Wandank and Sagamore holding her up against the wind and sea but repeated tests showed clogging of divers air lines and Falcon is now unmooring. A later dispatch timed 18.05 (6.05 p. m.) states southeast storm warning displayed. Freshening easterly winds. All vessels in harbor except Sagamore on wreck watch. Continued analysis of cause of freezing of divers air lines. Following tests conducted on Bushnell now think that trouble probably lies in Falcon's present installation. JANUARY 20, 1928 Dispatch from commander S-4 salvage force timed 9.40, January 20, states southeasterly gale blowing all last night, has all blown over, weather now bright and clear with fresh westerly winds and rough sea. Vessels have resumed stations at wreck when tests of dummy divers will continue to determine cause of clogging of air line if possible. A later dispatch timed 17.49 (5.49 p. m.) states moderate westerly gale since noon with rough rolling seas. All vessels in harbor except Wandank on wreck watch. Experiments at scene of wreck of no value in determining cause of present air troubles. JANUARY 21 1928 Dispatch from commander S-4 salvage force timed 9.35, January 21, states northwest gale; temperature 16°. Bushnell and Falcon will continue air plant experiments so far as depth of water in harbor permits. A later dispatch timed 17.30 (5.30 p. m.) states northwest gale continues, temperature 20°. Boating practically stopped on account of weather and ice. Nothing has actually been accomplished by divers on board S-4 since eight days ago nor have divers been down during past seven days. JANUARY 22, 1928 Dispatch from commander S-4 salvage force timed 9.55, January 22, states weather bright and clear with fresh strong westerly winds, sea too rough for diving; temperature 20°. Continued analysis and experiments with air plant of the Falcon which supplies air to divers. A later dispatch, timed 18 (6 p. m.) states moderate to fresh westerly winds with rough to moderate sea; temperature 20°. Wandank relieved Sagamore on wreck watch. S-8 getting torpedoes, engine spare parts, and other material in readiness to join submarine division 12. JANUARY 23, 1928 As A dispatch from commander S-4 salvage force timed 10.05, January 23, states weather partly overcast and cloudy, with fresh to strong southwest winds and rough rolling sea; temperature 28°. S-8 departed for Hampton Roads. Boston Navy Yard has apparatus for installation in Falcon's air system nearly ready, consider it best not to attempt further diving until apparatus is installed. Expect to send Falcon to yard for installation. A later dispatch timed 12.30 requests additional motor launches for use of salvage force. JANUARY 24, 1928 No items of interest. JANUARY 25, 1928 Dispatch from commander S-4 salvage force, timed 15.45 (3.45 p. m.), January 25, states Capt. E. J. King relieved Admiral F. H. Brumby as commander S-4 salvage force this date, in order that Admiral Brumby might resume regular command of control force prior to departure for winter exercises off Guantanamo. A later dispatch, timed 21.55 (9.55 p. m.), states Bushnell arrived Provincetown. Falcon left Boston having completed installation of air cooler, heater, and minor miscellaneous jobs. Moderate fresh westerly gales still blowing at Provincetown. JANUARY 26, 1928 Dispatch from commander S-4 salvage force, timed 9.35, January 26, states weather bright and clear, fresh to strong westerly winds, rough rolling seas, making diving impracticable; temperature 28°. New apparatus in Falcon will be thoroughly tested as far as depth of harbor permits, using dummy diver and special test-control valve. JANUARY 27, 1928 Dispatch from commander S-4 salvage force, timed 9, January 27, states weather bright and clear and slight sea; temperature 22°. Falcon and Bushnell under way from harbor at 7 o'clock. Diving will begin as soon as usual tests warrant. A later dispatch timed 17.45 (5.45 p. m.) states weather continued fine with smooth sea, temperature 23°. Diving began about 10. Eadie made fast new descending line, Carr cleared out-deck lockers and Eiden followed by Wilson cleaned bitumastic off plating on top of torpedo room. Kelly attempted to burn hole but unsuccessful because of ignition failure. Crilley cleared up stray lines, hose and other gear which had accumulated in way of divers. No difficulty during the day with divers air lines. All new apparatus in operation. Another dispatch timed 19.25 (7.25 p. m.) states that diving was resumed to-day after 12 days when no diving was practicable on account of either weather or clogging of divers air lines on tests conducted before attempting to send divers down. JANUARY 28, 1928 A dispatch from commander S-4 salvage force timed 9.55 January 28, states weather overcast and cloudy with fresh northeast winds, temperature 30° with moderate to rough seas and light snow. Diving doubtful. A later dispatch states Diver Kelly attempted to burn hole in top plating torpedo room but unsuccessful because of air failure. Experience to date with gas under water burning torch emphasizes the advisability of expediting electric burning torch. Wind and sea increases, northeast storm warning displayed, so Falcon unmoored and all vessels except Sagamore on wreck watch are now in harbor. Moderate northeast gales are now blowing. JANUARY 29, 1928 A dispatch from commander S-4 salvage force timed 9.05, January 29 states fresh northeast gale with snow and thick weather blowing, temperature 24°. Bushnell has a boat sunk at boom and all boating is hazardous, ships and boats encased in ice. Mahan dragged anchor. Vessels storm bound. A later dispatch states wind shifted to northward of west and moderated considerably; temperature 22°. Bushnell recovered the boat sunk alongside, hoisted it on board. JANUARY 30, 1928 A dispatch from commander S-4 salvage force timed 9.05 states weather bright and clear, moderate sea; temperature 19°. Bushnell, Wandank, Falcon, and S-6 proceeded out of harbor. Falcon moored over S-4. Activities somewhat hampered by bad condition of boats and boat engines. A later dispatch timed 19.05 (7.05 p. m.) states weather became and continued good all day chiefly on account of the lee afforded by direction of wind; temperaature 24°. Divers inside control room and engine room succeeded in hooking down battery ventilation-bulkhead flapper valve on battery room side. divers outside secured flapper valves on control room and engine room. air apparatus functioned well all day and divers had no trouble with air. Other JANUARY 31, 1928 A dispatch from commander S-4 salvage force timed 8.45, January 31, states gentle northwesterly breeze, smooth sea; temperature 38°. Diving is now under way. A later dispatch_timed_19.45 (7.45 p. m.) states excellent diving weather all day; temperature 29°. Divers inside and outside control room made further endeavors to secure latch of flapper valve on battery room side of battery ventilation duct, but without success. Duct is collapsed forward of valve and there is some obstruction in valve. All valves on the air-blowing manifold checked and set for blowing main ballast tanks. Air escaped by a damaged mail ballast tank. Divers inside control room and outside of engine-room hatch unlatched and opened flapper valves in air-ventilation duct and removed from valve-casing duct one blanket and some blue prints. Divers continued operations for unwatering middle and after main ballast tanks and safety tanks. FEBRUARY 1, 1928 · A dispatch from commander S-4 salvage force timed 8.25, February 1, states weather overcast and cloudy, moderate southerly winds; temperature 35°, slight Falcon remained in moorings all night blowing air into ballast and safety tanks, but without success, perhaps because of wrong valve settings. sea. A later dispatch timed 19.40 (7.40 p. m.) states weather remained overcast and cloudy, wind decreased, smooth sea; temperature 37°. Divers inside control room and outside engine-room hatch working on valves and closing doors. Valves reset and checked. Examined for air leaks. Inside of motor room thoroughly examined. Holes cut around periscope for insertion of hose. S. C. tube removed from top of torpedo room and opening closed to make torpedo room air-tight for blowing. New apparatus in Falcon diving air system has been in regular use since installed and has so far functioned as expected. Divers have had no further trouble clogged air lines. FEBRUARY 2, 1928 Dispatch from commander S-4 salvage force timed 8.50, February 2, states northwest gale blowing, sea entirely too rough for diving. All vessels in harbor except Wandank on wreck watch; temperature, 26°. Will proceed with setting up cement gear on Falcon, divers' drill with salvage hatches on S-6; also made arrangements for applying high-pressure air to blow through and clear out external air-charging lines on S-4, which appear to be clogged, probably from long disuse. Continued other preparations for further work on S-4. A later dispatch timed 19.20 (7.20 p.m.) states wind still blowing fresh; temperature 27°. Accomplished work mentioned in morning's dispatch. FEBRUARY 3, 1928 A dispatch from commander S-4 salvage force time 8.35, February 3, states gentle northerly breeze, smooth sea; temperature 21°. All vessels underway at 7. Falcon moored and diving has begun. A later dispatch timed 19.42 (7.42 p. m.) states good to fair diving weather all day, moderate sea; temperature 23°. Divers removed cross arm S. C. tube and taped off tube in torpedo room. Divers inside and outside located valves in external air-charging lines which did not exist in S-6. Valves opened and Falcon began blowing air into middle and after main ballast and safety tanks, also began placing of special fittings in control room for unwatering same. Continued throughout the day preparations for unwatering compartments. Continuous blowing from Falcon caused air bubbles at surface. It is considered likely there is a break in the salvage tank line to forward main ballast tank and also that check valves in same line are not functioning so must take further steps to blow ballast tanks. FEBRUARY 4, 1928 Dispatch from commander S-4 salvage force timed 8.30, February 4, states moderate to fresh southwesterly breezes and moderate to rough sea, temperature 40°. Will endeavor to begin diving but rising wind and sea may prevent. A later dispatch timed 19.30 (7.30 p. m.) states wind increased to strong southwesterly and sea rough; temperature 43°. Falcon managed to stay in moorings by using own anchors and additional lines. (This dispatch gives minor details of divers efforts to prepare compartments for unwatering and blowing.) FEBRUARY 5, 1928 Dispatch from commander S-4 salvage force timed 8.45, February 5, states slight sea; temperature 34°, and all vessels underway from harbor at 6.45 p. m. Falcon moored and diving begun. A later dispatch timed 20 (8 p. m.) states weather and sea conditions remain the same; temperature 29°. Put air pressure on motor room and completed unwatering this compartment. Divers succeeded in stopping leaks in ballast tank blow lines in control room. Put pressure on middle and after main ballast tanks and safety tanks. Air bubbles came to surface. Divers placed wooden bin over conning tower hatch. Divers cemented main air indicator valve and wooden bin over conning tower hatch. Received and unloaded electric arc cutting outfit. FEBRUARY 6, 1928 Dispatch from commander S-4 salvage force timed 8.45, February 6, states strong northerly winds; temperature 18°, Falcon having difficulty in mooring due to lines being frozen stiff. A later despatch timed 21.35 (9.35 p. m.) states moderately light airs, sea smooth; temperature 20°. Falcon moored at 9, divers took down blowing hose and secured it to compartment salvage air connection on conning tower. Then divers went inside S-4, closed and secured doors of control and engine rooms. Divers set valves correctly for blowing fuel oil. Careful examination made to find source of air bubbles from control room when that compartment was put under pressure. Divers found air escaping from outboard ventilator line where cut. Air from control room probably due to springing of flapper valve. Divers in engine room making preparations for bolting on air blowing connections for fuel oil tanks. With air temperatures from 17° to 22° the air plant on the Falcon operated satisfactorily. MISCELLANEOUS Shortly after salvage operations began the salvage forces were organized, duties prescribed and instructions issued by the commander of the S-4 salvage force in general accordance with attached sample organization and administration order, in order that salvage operations might be conducted smoothly and expeditiously. As of interest a recent letter from commander S-4 salvage force is quoted in From: Commander S-4 SALVAGE FORCE. Subject: Progress on the salvage of U. U. submarine S-4 to date. 1. "Salvage" operations on the S-4 began as of December 24, 1927, following the visit of the Secretary of the Navy and the Chief of Naval Operations to the Falcon off Provincetown, Mass., on that date. Up to that time the operations on the S-4 had been conducted entirely on the " rescue" basis (from the time of the sinking of the S-4 on December 17, 1927). 2. A prime factor in any salvage operation is the quality and number of divers available. There are now 14 divers who have been "proved" on this job or on the S-51 job, or both. There are about as many more divers who look promising but whom there has not yet been time or opportunity to "prove," but from whom it is expected to get enough to bring the number of "proved divers to above 20. With this number of "proved" divers it should be possible to keep up continuous daily work with allowance for those sick, indisposed, or otherwise temporarily unavailable, without unduly exhausting their energies. 3. Since salvage operations began (on December 24, 1927) five weeks have elapsed. It is roughly estimated that the salvage of the S-4 is about one-third complete as of this date. The work in hand is to complete the necessary work on the hull of the S-4, both inside and outside. When all such work has been completed and, as far as practicable, tested out, the work of placing and securing pontoons will be undertaken. 4. The estimated progress of salvage (one-third) includes some of the work done during the rescue operations, namely, the washing of tunnels at frames 20 and 46. The delays that have been encountered have been due to (1) the clogging of divers' air lines with ice and/or snow, and (2) the weather and sea. conditions incident to the winter season. |