23 May1939 – The US submarine Squalus sank off Portsmouth New Hampshire on this date to perform a test dive demonstrating the boat’s capability to submerge within 60 seconds while running at full speed on the surface. Although the board showed green, the induction failed to shut. Squalus sank backwards at a 45-degree angle as the captain ordered all water-tight doors shut. Flooding claiming 26 lives in the after spaces. Chief Electrician’s Mate Lawrence Gainer observed a rapid drain of the battery entered the well and opened the disconnects, a key move in saving the ship. A buoy trailing a telephone line was then released. After Squalus was declared overdue at Portsmouth, USS Sculpin, sister ship of Squalus, located the buoy and thus the location of Squalus although the telephone line soon parted. Word reached New London and the USS Falcon ASR-2 was deployed with a diving bell designed by Charles “Swede” Momsen. brought 33 survivors safely to the surface. Miraculously the last survivors were rescued only 40 hours after the sinking. This was the first successful undersea rescue operation to retrieve a sunken submarine crew. Four divers, Chief Machinist’s Mate William Badders, Chief Boatswain’s Mate Orson L. Crandall, Chief Metalsmith James H. McDonald, and Chief Torpedoman John Mihalowski, were awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions during the rescue and salvage. It took 113 days to salvage Squalus. Squalus was towed to Portsmouth on September 13, 1939 and decommissioned on 15 November. Following overhaul it was re-commissioned Sailfish on 15 May 1940.
Photo shows the stern of USS Falcon ASR-2, note the diving bell on the stern.
© Gregg Smith
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