5. The records show the following data as to diving days, etc. (half days) during these salvage operations:

6. New apparatus, consisting chiefly of a cooler (sea water) and a heater (steam), were developed and made up on the navy yard, Boston, and were installed in the Falcon January 24, 25. This apparatus is similar in character and in function to that recommended to be installed in the Falcon early in December, 1925, following similar experience in the clogging and stoppage of divers' air lines with ice and/or snow.

7. Tests so far made and experience so far had with the modified and added installations in the Falcon's low-pressure air system tend to show that the expected results are being effected, namely, (a) the cooler, by reducing the temperature of the compressed air to that of the surface sea water, causes a very considerable amount of water and even ice particles, to be eliminated; then, (b) the heater, by heating the air (as it comes from the coller), raises its temperature sufficiently so that its dew point is not reached in its subsequent travel through (1) the divers' air manifold, (2) the divers' air hose (about 400 feet) with its connecting nipples every 50 feet, and (3) its expansion through the divers' control valves (from 90 pounds to about 45 pounds per square inch), all of which inherently causes the air temperature to drop; (c) comparative tests with (1) complete apparatus, (2) heater cut out, and (3) both heater and cooler cut out, show that, when condition (3) or (2) causes stoppage or clogging of divers' air lines and condition (1) is then substituted, the stoppage or clogging is largely or wholly eliminated, so that entries in column (C) of table in paragraph 5 may be expected to diminish.

8. As to weather and sea conditions, those for the first three weeks of the. salvage operations were undoubtedly favorable beyond any reasonable expectation, and the average weather for the past two weeks must be considered representative of the conditions to be expected, as normal winter weather appears finally to have set in. The expectation can only be that for at least the next two months (February and March) the percentage of diving days (weather) will not be greater than that for the past two weeks. The expected date of completion of the salvage operations can not, therefore, be placed earlier than about May 1, 1928.

E. J. KING.

It must be remembered that the above items chronologically arranged are but a few of the things attempted and done by the department, first and third naval districts and those immediately engaged with the rescue work and later salvage work of the S-4. The items are only indicative in a small measure of the steps taken by the department and other naval activities to effect rescue of those in the S-4 and later in the salvage of that vessel. Many items of interest in connection with the steps taken were not recorded in the desire for haste. This is particularly true of those in immediate charge of the rescue and salvage work at the scene. They had no time to make voluminous records and reports and none

were required-they were far too busy in a most important task to be bothered by records and reports.

The responsible authorities, in charge on the spot, had the resources of the entire Naval Establishment at their disposal and were so informed.

That they did not have greater success in the rescue work can not be attributed to lack of energy, lack of support, or cooperation. All that could humanly be done it is believed was done. They were attempting that which appears to have been humanly impossible.

"S-4" SALVAGE FORCE, U. S. S. "BUSHNELL,"
Off Provincetown, Mass., January 26, 1928.

From: Commander S-4 Salvage Force.
To: Force.

Subject: Organization and general administration of S-4 salvage force; third modification.

References: (a) Letter re subject dated December 25, 1927.

(b) Letter re subject (first modification) dated December 28, 1927. (c) Letter re subject (second modification) dated January 4, 1928.

1. This order supersedes and replaces the references, which should be destroyed. 2. Officers:

Commander H. Gibson, senior aide.

Ensign J. M. Smith, aide, communications.

Commander H. E. Saunders (C. C.), salvage officer.

Lieut. H. Hartley, deputy salvage officer.

Lieut. L. Kaplan (C. C.), assistant salvage officer (material).

Chief Gunner C. L. Tibbals, diving supervisor.

Chief Gunner W. F. Loughman, assistant diving supervisor.

Chief Gunner F. J. Kaiss, assistant diving supervisor.

Lieut. Commander G. H. Mankin (M. C.), diving medical officer.

Lieut. Commander A. Osenger, force engineer and repair officer.

Lieut. J. A. Topper (M. C.), force medical officer.

Lieut. C. F. Sandgren (S. C.), force supply officer.

3. Ships and duties:

(a) Bushnell (flag), depot vessel for material and personnel; repair vessel, Lieut. Commander H. M. Branham.

(b) Falcon, salvage and diving vessel, Lieut. H. Hartley.

(c) Wandank, tender to Falcon, Lieut. T. Fertner.

(d) Sagamore, tender to Falcon, Chief Boatswain G. Cregan.

(e) S-6, model for S-4, Lieut. W. Wakefield.

(f) Mallard, tender for pontoons, barges, etc., Lieut. R. Rohange.

(g) Mahan, Commander G. N. Barker; Maury, dispatch vessel (as assigned) Commander J. B. Glennon.

(h) C. G. No. 171, local dispatch service.

4. Duties of ships:

(a) Bushnell, procure, distribute and account for all material, provisions, etc. (navy yard, Boston is supply base), utilize shops for fabrication, repair and overhaul of material of all vessels, house and mess personnel, furnish boats as required, furnish working party to Falcon daily as required, station near Falcon. (b) Falcon, as above, moored over S-4.

(c) and (d) Wandank and Sagamore tend Falcon; portable moorings, handling lines, and gear, wreck watch, etc.

(e) S-6 Available for examination (as sister ship to S-4), trial of apparatus, rehearsal of divers, etc., station near Falcon.

(f) Mallard, tend derrick lighter United States and other floating equipment, tend and tow pontoons and barges, and other duties as assigned.

(g) Despatch vessel, leave Boston daily about 9.30 for Provincetown (Bushnell); leave Provincetown (Bushnell) daily about 15 for Boston, transport passengers, mail, provisions, material, etc.

(h) C. G. No. 171, maintain daily local schedule as ordered.

5. General instructions:

(a) All orders and requests coming from Falcon that relate in any way to salvage work, shall be obeyed as if coming direct from the force commander.

(b) All vessels report daily at noon by flag or visual or radio (1) fuel on hand (2) water on hand. Notify Bushnell (flag) specially by dispatch when fuel oil or fresh water or fresh provisions fall below 50 per cent of capacity.

(c) Keep Bushnell informed of all requirements as to material, provisions, repairs, etc. (See separate letter dated December 25, 1927.)

(d) Tugs and sweepers operate evaporating plants to capacity, conserve water and fuel. Bushnell and Mallard maintain water tanks filled to capacity at all times.

(e) While diving is going on, all vessels except those stationed with pontoons and barges in inner harbor, shall be ready to get underway on not more than 15 minutes notice; at other times they shall be on "one hour's notice."

When out

(f) Vessels requiring boat hoist international "T", Bushnell send boat. (g) Communications, radio traffic will be handled via Bushnell. of signal distance of Bushnell maintain tontinuous radio water; when within signal distance, keep continuous signal water.

(h) Mail for personnel and vessels of force should be addressed "care of navy yard, Boston, Mass."

(2) Wreck watch, Sagamore and Wandank (or Mallard), as assigned, will ordinarily take station 300 yards southwest of white can buoy "AA," but in bad weather may anchor to leeward of wreck but close up. Keep continuous watch on mooring and marker buoys, warn off shipping, display red breakdown lights by night and danger signal by day. When Falcon is moored over S-4 during fog, watch vessel will sound five long blasts on whistle every two minutes. When Bushnell and Falcon are both away from wreck, make report of weather and sea conditions every four hours, Wandank and Sagamore will alternate in 48-hour tours of duty, relieving at 9 on even days.

6. When bad weather prevents diving, the opportunity shall be made use of to the fullest extent to replenish supplies, stores, water, fuel, etc., to overhaul and to prepare gear, and, generally to make ready to go ahead for a full due as soon as diving weather recurs.

E. J. KING.

(After further informal proceedings, not reported, the subcommittee adjourned, subject to the call of the chairman.)

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18

INVESTIGATION OF SINKING OF THE SUBMARINE "S-4"

THURSDAY, MAY 10, 1928

UNITED STATES SENATE,

SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE COMMITTEE ON NAVAL AFFAIRS,

Washington, D. C.

The subcommittee met, pursuant to the call of the chairman, at 10 o'clock a. m., in the room of the Committee on Territories in the Capitol, Senator Tasker L. Oddie presiding.

Present, Senators Oddie (chairman) and Gerry.

Senator ODDIE. The meeting will come to order. Senator Steiwer has been called to New York on official business, and has requested that this committee go ahead without him this morning. He will study the record later so as to be fully informed.

It is proposed by the committee to present and have printed in the record an abstract of the court of inquiry convened at the navy yard, Boston, on January 4, 1928, in connection with the collision between the Coast Guard destroyer Paulding and the submarine S-4, near Provincetown, on December 17, 1927.

I offer also to be printed in the record a summary of the court of inquiry.

I offer for the record also a statement signed by Hon. Curtis D. Wilbur, Secretary of the Navy, dated April 13, 1928, exonerating Admiral Brumby in regard to this disaster

I offer for the record also a copy of a telegram dated December 22, 1927, from the president of the Merritt, Chapman & Scott Corporation to the Secretary of the Navy, which reads as follows [reading]: NEW YORK, N. Y., December 22, 1927.

The SECRETARY OF THE NAVY,

Washington, D. C.:

Rumors current brought to our attention by representatives of the press allege that Merritt, Chapman & Scott Corporation have adversely criticized the Navy's efforts to save those imprisoned in the S-4. Permit us to emphatically say that we have made no criticism whatever. We extend our sympathy for the loss of the brave officers and men of her crew and submit the carefully considered opinion that no human agency could have accomplished more for those who perished than the department and their ready, willing, and capable officers and men afloat have done.

MERRITT, CHAPMAN & SCOTT CORPORATION,
WILLIAM H. BAKER, President.

I offer for the record also a letter from Hon. Ogden L. Mills, Undersecretary of the Treasury, dated May 8, 1928, transmitting a statement dated May 7, 1928, issued by Hon. Andrew W. Mellon, Secretary of the Treasury, giving the findings of fact of the board of inquiry appointed by the Secretary of the Treasury to inquire into all of the facts and circumstances surrounding the loss of the U. S.