LOSS OF 86 IN SUBMARINE FEARED AS TIDE ENGULFS IT (6/3/39)

Microfiche-New York Times archives, McHenry Library, U.C. Santa Cruz | 6/3/39 | W.F. Leysmith

[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]

Ping.

[beebuster2000]

btt

[lafroste]

I will tell you what I noticed: W. F. Leysmith is a reporter. Lots of facts, lots of good, solid description, not a shred of his own opinion to be found.

[KarlInOhio]

This type of story is one reason why I enjoy reading the WWII+70 years threads. I had never heard of the Thetis before. In these days of nuclear submarines with underwater endurance based primarily on food supplies for the crew, this story points out just how fragile subs were and even when they weren't fully submerged they could be deathtraps.

After the Thetis was salvaged it was repaired and renamed the HMS Thunderbolt.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

This type of story is one reason why I enjoy reading the WWII+70 years threads. I had never heard of the Thetis before.

Likewise. The Squalus stories from last week also came as a surprise to me. But did you ever notice that some things come in threes?

[PUGACHEV]

Does anyone recall the name of a U.S. submarine that sank in the ‘20s? It actually did not sink entirely, but plunged bow first into the mud at a near vertical angle with eight feet of the stern left above water. The crew was trapped for two days until they managed to drill through the hull with a hand brace and a file and raise a flag to attract attention. Incredibly, no one was even looking for them.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Does anyone recall the name of a U.S. submarine that sank in the ‘20s?

A submarine designated only as S-4 sank near Cape Cod in 1927 after a collision. But the details don't sound like the incident you describe.

[KarlInOhio]

USS S-5 on September 1, 1920.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

"What ship?"
"S-5."
"What nationality?"
"American."
"Where bound?"
"Hell by compass."

LOL. (The submarine was standing on its nose.) It is hard to imagine that nobody realized they were overdue or having problems. That was a sleepy time for the U.S. Navy

[KarlInOhio]

It is hard to imagine that nobody realized they were overdue or having problems. That was a sleepy time for the U.S. Navy

Were they overdue? They were out on the third day of sea trials. I don't know how long the sea trial was expected to be. I don't know if submarines were in regular radio contact with shore back then, or if they acted like in pre-radio days where they were sent on a mission and then came back when finished.

[martin_fierro]

HMS Thetis

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Were they overdue? They were out on the third day of sea trials. I don't know how long the sea trial was expected to be. I don't know if submarines were in regular radio contact with shore back then, or if they acted like in pre-radio days where they were sent on a mission and then came back when finished.

Good points. I overlooked the fact that this incident happened almost 90 years ago - no the 70 years I am accustomed too.