USS Squalus submarine sunkIn 1939, the USS Squalus submarine test dive in the Atlantic Ocean ended in disaster when an important valve remained open and flooded the vessel. It settled, disabled, on the bottom at a depth of 243 feet, located not far off the coast from Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Of the crew, 26 men had drowned, but 33 remained alive sealed behind watertight doors in the forward compartment. The historic mission to bring the survivors to the surface lasted from 24 May to shortly after mindnight on 25 May. It marked the world's first rescue usinga McCann Rescue Chamber. The large diving bell used had been specially designed for the purpose byCdr Allan R. McCann, following earlier submarine rescue equipment development initiatives by Cdr Charles B. Momsen.« |
