National Affairs: S-51

Impeded by rough weather which kept cranes in shelter miles away from the spot where the submarine S-51 was sunk off Block Island in collision with the coastwise steamer City of Rome, the would-be rescuers of any sailors alive in the sunken submarine lost hope. Two divers sent down each succeeded in entering the battery room hatch and each brought up the body of a seaman.

After the submarine had been at the bottom 113 hours (72 hours is supposed to be the safety limit for men within such a ship), Rear Admiral Christy announced: “Reluctantly and sorrowfully we must all concede that there is no longer a possibility of human life existing in the flf-61.” He asked to be allowed to give up attempts at rescue and begin salvage operations. Secretary Wilbur nonetheless directed that the rescue work continue.

Finally, although the seas were still troublesome, the two giant cranes Monarch and Century were brought to the spot and succeeded in catching the ends of the slings which the divers had adjusted under the S-51’s hull. Together, with a combined lifting capacity of 350 tons, they failed to budge the sunken craft. They tried a second time and failed. It was concluded that the submarine had entirely filled with water. A diver with an oxy-acetaline torch cut a tiny hole in the engine room hatch. A few air bubbles escaped. Then nothing more. The compartment was filled with water.

There was no hope left.

Secretary of the Navy Wilbur announced that a court of inquiry had been ordered to convene at the Boston Navy Yard and fix the responsibility for the loss of the S-51.

The three survivors of the wreck, picked up after being swept through the conning tower hatch as the submarine sank, testified that they believed at least four others had escaped through the hatch but had drowned.

Frederick E. Techemaker of Indianapolis, who lost twin sons on the S-51, said: “I am proud that my sons were serving their country when they died. I think the Navy is the finest possible life for travel.” any young man who wishes to Later the engine room hatch was cut open and three bodies were taken out by divers. Another diver with an electrical device burned a hole in the forward torpedo room.*That also was flooded. All hope was gone.

*The divers worked at the depth of 127 ft. in great difficulties. They had to be careful not to entangle their own ropes, wires, and air hose in the antennae, which would have been fatal. An hour was all they could stay down at a time. Exploring in the interior of the submarine with their bulky suits, with 24-pound weights on their feet and lead-weighted belts was difficult and dangerous. About an hour and a half was spent in raising them to the surface after each descent. They were raised 15 ft. and then allowed a rest while they adjusted themselves to the pressure. Sudden lifting produces the “bends” or caisson disease. Tanks were at hand on the surface in case of emergency that might require a diver’s being raised rapidly. If so, he would be speedily thrust into one of the tanks under pressure, which would be gradually lowered, to save him from the harmful effect of the rapid change.