59 AWAIT RESCUE ON SUNKEN SUBMARINE 240 FEET DOWN (5/24/39)

Microfiche-New York Times archives, McHenry Library, U.C. Santa Cruz | 5/24/39 | Marshall E. Newton

[Homer_J_Simpson]

EDITORIAL

[Homer_J_Simpson]

If you would like to be added to or deleted from the Real Time +/- 70 Years ping list, send me a freepmail. You can also search for these articles by the keyword realtime, going back to the first one on January 27, 2008. These articles are posted on the 70th anniversary of their original publication date. See my profile for additional information.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Peacetime navy ping.

[lbama]

The good old days. Whiskey was $3.25/qt.

[Bean Counter]

There is an old black and white Navy movie out there someplace that is an excellent documentary of the rescue of Squalus’ crew, and the salvage of the submarine itself. One of the greatest US Navy success stories around...

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

I peeked into the future. 33 were rescued, 26 perished.

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

I saw a slightly fictionalized version many moons ago. I forget if those who were lost drowned, died of exposure, or died of other causes. This event spurred the development of modern submarine rescue vehicles.

[beebuster2000]

found this picture showing stalin and ribbentrop announcing the pact between germany and russia carving up poland. thought about this reading the post yesterday about the western powers working out a alliance with stalin.

[MinuteGal]

These articles stimulated me to find other links which detailed the 1939 rescue.....the terrifying and frustrating glitches during the superhuman efforts plus the eventual success after being within a hair's breadth of the rescuers aborting the effort leaving the crew to its doom.

Also fascinating is the history of the sub's subsequent heroic missions against the Japanese navy in WW2.

The poignancy and pride this part of our naval history evokes is especially significant this Memorial Day. It's sad that the saga of this sunken sub and the heroic rescuers is not a household word. Perhaps it's because an "against-all-odds" movie was never made.....as it certainly should have been.

Although, I feel it would be emotionally hard for me to watch the life-and-death suspense as the rescue played out.

Leni

[mel]

Fascinating. thanks

[narses]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Squalus

[Lmo56]

My grandfather was a naval officer in subs - he just missed being on the S-51 (sank 25 Sep 1925 off Block Island).

Officers were assigned to boats in alphabetical order ... he missed being on the S-51 by 3 names.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Thanks for the follow up. I saw follow up articles throughout the summer of 1939 on the investigation of the accident and attempts to raise of Squalus. I figured the main story was over so I didn't pay them any attention. I had no idea she was recommissioned as Sailfish and had such an incredible wartime career.