1 September 1920 – During a practice dive from the Boston Navy Yard on the USS S-5 (SS 110) an induction valve failed open and initiated flooding in the Forward Torpedo Room. The crew scrambled to shut water tight doors, especially at the battery room. Bow heavy, the boat nosed to the bottom, but blowing after ballast and fuel tanks raised the stern above water by about 17 feet. The crew then began drilling holes through the hull and eventually created a hole 3 inches in diameter. A lookout on a passing steamer (The Alanthus) spotted the submarine and was able to flag down the General G.W. Goethals, which was equipped with a radio. The Goethals alerted the Navy while its crew began working to widen the hole., eventually making it large enough for the entire crew to crawl out of the stricken sub. Two days after the sinking the Battleship Ohio attempted to tow the submarine to port, however the line parted and S-5 filled with water and sank.
© Gregg Smith
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