The FReeper Foxhole Remembers the Sinking and Rescue of the USS SQUALUS (SS-192) - Sept. 12th, 2003

http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq99-1.htm ^

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USS Squalus (SS-192): U.S. Navy Divers Awarded the Medal of Honor for Rescue of Crew, 24-25 May 1939



Badders, William
Medal of Honor citation of Chief Machinist's Mate William Badders (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 129):

"For extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession during the rescue and salvage operations following the sinking of the U.S.S. Squalus on 23 May 1939. During the rescue operations, BADDERS, as senior member of the rescue chamber crew, made the last extremely hazardous trip of the rescue chamber to attempt to rescue any possible survivors in the flooded after portion of the Squalus. He was fully aware of the great danger involved in that if he and his assistant became incapacitated, there was no way in which either could be rescued. During the salvage operations, BADDERS made important and difficult dives under the most hazardous conditions. His outstanding performance of duty contributed much to the success of the operations and characterizes conduct far above and beyond the ordinary call of duty." ...More information on William Badders



Crandall, Orson L.
Medal of Honor citation of Chief Boatswain's Mate Orson L. Crandall (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 130):

"For extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as a master diver throughout the rescue and salvage operations following the sinking of the U.S.S. Squalus on 23 May 1939. His leadership and devotion to duty in directing diving operations and in making important and difficult dives under the most hazardous conditions characterize conduct far above and beyond the ordinary call of duty."... More information on Orson L. Crandall



McDonald, James Harper
Medal of Honor citation of Chief Machinist's Mate James Harper McDonald (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 131):

"For extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as a Master Diver throughout the rescue and salvage operations following the sinking of the U.S.S. Squalus on 23 May 1939. His leadership, masterly skill, general efficiency and untiring devotion to duty in directing diving operations, and in making important and difficult dives under the most hazardous conditions, characterize conduct far above and beyond the ordinary call of duty."... More information on James Harper McDonald



Mihalowski, John
Medal of Honor citation of Chief Torpedoman John Mihalowski (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 131):

"For extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession during the rescue and salvage operations following the sinking of the U.S.S. Squalus on 23 May 1939. MIHALOWSKI, as a member of the rescue chamber crew, made the last extremely hazardous trip of the rescue chamber to attempt to rescue any possible survivors in the flooded after portion of the Squalus. He was fully aware of the great danger involved, in that, if he and the other member of the crew became incapacitated, there was no way in which either could be rescued. During the salvage operations MIHALOWSKI made important and difficult dives under the most hazardous conditions. His outstanding performance of duty contributed much to the success of the operations and characterizes conduct far above and beyond the ordinary call of duty."... More information on John Mihalowski



Secretary of the Navy Charles Edison congratulates four heros of the Squalus rescue and salvage operations after presenting them with Medals of Honor during ceremonies at the Navy Department on 19 January 1940.
The four men, all qualified as Divers, are (from left to right):
Chief Machinist's Mate William Badders;
Chief Torpedoman John Mihalowski;
Chief Boatswain's Mate Orson L. Crandall; and
Chief Metalsmith James Harper McDonald.

Credit:
Official U.S. Navy Photographs, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center

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Today's Educational Sources and suggestions for further reading:

www.history.navy.mil
Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy
www.onr.navy.mil

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A New Class of Boats

In 1939, the USS Squalus (SS-192) was the 11th of the new Sargo class of submarines, which were named for fighting fish. This new breed of underwater boat was 310 feet long and 27 feet wide, larger than previous classes. It had improved surface and underwater speed and extended range, which enabled the sub to keep up with fleet surface ships.

The Squalus surface speed was 16 knots. It had seven watertight compartments, plus a conning tower and amenities such as flush toilets, air conditioning and cold food storage.


USS Squalus shooting to the surface (USNA Archives).


View from Falcon of Navy Tugs towing USS Squalus (Milne Special Collections and Archives Department, University of New Hampshire Library, Durham, NH).

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USS Squalus (SS-192) Rescue Operations, May 1939


USS Wandank (AT-26), at left, and USS Falcon (ASR-2) moored over the sunken Squalus, during rescue operations, circa 24 May 1939.

The McCann Rescue Chamber, which brought 33 of the submarine's crewmen to safety, is visible on Falcon's after deck.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

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McCann Rescue Chamber in the water alongside USS Falcon (ASR-2) during the rescue of 33 men still alive and trapped in the sunken submarine Squalus, off the New Hampshire coast, circa 24-25 May 1939.

The submarine sank when the main induction valve in the engine room stuck in the open position, flooding her after compartments when she submerged.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.

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Vice Admiral Allan R. McCann, USN(Retired), (1896-1978)
Allan Rockwell McCann was born in North Adams, Massachusetts, on 20 September 1896. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1917 and served in the battleship Kansas (BB-21) until 1919. He then received instruction in submarines and was then assigned to USS K-6 (SS-37). In 1921-24, Lieutenant McCann commanded the submarines N-4 (SS-56), L-3 (SS-42) and R-21 (SS-98). Two years of technical duties ashore were followed by command of USS S-46 (SS-157) in 1926-29.

During 1929-31, Lieutenant Commander McCann was assigned to the Bureau of Construction and Repair, where he was responsible for final development of a submarine rescue diving bell, which came to be called the "McCann Rescue Chamber". He commanded the submarine Bonita (SS-165) in 1931-34, then had service ashore, was First Lieutenant of the cruiser Indianapolis (CA-35) and served on the staff of Commander, Cruisers, Scouting Force. In 1939, while assigned to the Bureau of Navigation, Commander McCann was sent to help with rescue and salvage operations on USS Squalus (SS-192), which had accidently sunk off Portsmouth, New Hampshire. MORE


Lieutenant Commander Charles B. Momsen, USN

Charles Bowers Momsen was born in Flushing, Long Island, New York, on 21 June 1896. He attended the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating with the Class of 1920 in June 1919. Following initial service in battleships, he was trained as a submarine officer and commanded three submarines in 1923-27. Following those commands, Momsen was assigned to the Bureau of Construction and Repair. In 1929-32 he was actively engaged in the development of a submarine escape breathing apparatus that came to be known as the "Momsen Lung".

During the remainder of the 1930s, he held positions in submarines and surface ships and was in charge of Navy Experimental Diving. In 1939, Commander Momsen was involved in the salvage of the sunken submarine USS Squalus (SS-192). During World War II, he led two Submarine Squadrons, including service at sea as a "wolf pack" commander, and held other important staff and training positions. Captain Momsen was commanding officer of the battleship USS South Dakota in December 1944 - July 1945. more

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Shipmates on Eternal Patrol in USS SQUALUS
(SS-192):

James Andrew Aitken, FC3
John James Batick, EM1
Joshua Casey, FN
John Allan Chesnutt, MMC
Robert Lyle Coffey, EM2
Elvin Leon Deal, MM2
Lionel Hugh Fletcher, EM3
Kenneth Ross Garrison, MMC
Robert Franklin Gibbs, TM1
John Plesent Hathaway, FN
Eugene Arthur Hoffman, MM1
Alexander Biggs Keegan, SN
John Joseph Marino, SA
Huie King McAfee, EM2
J.H. Patterson, ENS
Alfred Charles Priester, TM2
Frank Henry Schulte, MM1
Bascom Slemp Scyphers, EM1
Sherman Luther Shirley, TM1
Don Smith, Civilian
Jack John Strong, MM1
John Laurise Thomala, MM1
Robert Preson Thompson, SC3
Marion Lawrence Ward, RM3
Robert Ross Weld, FA
Charles M. Wood, Civilian Electrician ....

"Sailors, Rest Your Oars!"

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.......FALL IN to the FReeper Foxhole!

.......Good Friday Morning Everyone!


If you would like added or removed from our ping list let me know.

[E.G.C.]

Good morning, Snippy and everyone here at the Foxhole.

Recieved alomst 3 inches of rain from yesterday's showers and storms here in Southwest Oklahoma.

[The Mayor]

Coffee??

[snippy_about_it]

Good Morning Mayor.

SAM and I and most all of our Foxhole family are major coffee drinkers so it's always appreciated. Thank you.

We have a houseblend you know, Darksheare's coffee. However, drink with caution. It could keep you awake for days. LOL.

Good to see you on our list. ;)

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Good Morning EGC. That's a lot of rain. We've been dry for a few days now for a change.

[The Mayor]

Thanks, it's been a while since I've been here. I saw Sam last night on the Taglinus FreeRepublicus thread pinging the Foxhole crew. I'm glad to be back.

[manna]

Present!

[Darksheare]

I'm here.

Can't imagine being stuck in a partially flooded boat on the bottom like that.

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We're glad to have you back. Take a look at what you've missed, especially the thread from September 5th. ;)

Foxhole Threads

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Good morning manna.

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Good mornin' Darksheare.

I'm a little claustrophobic and couldn't get in a sub in the first place. How horrible it must have been for them.

[Darksheare]

I'm not claustrophobic, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't panic while stuck like that.
(I can't swim for one. Can't whistle either.)
I would not have done anywhere as well as they did in that situation.
(Arrr! I'm a dry land pirate, arr!)

[SpookBrat]

Good morning. :)

[SAMWolf]

Good Morning Snippy.

Excellent job on the thread.

USS Squalus sank in 1939 New York Times report



Squalus rescue New York Times report

Photos courtesy of www.wreckhunter.net