U.S.S. Squalus (SS-192)

Date of Loss: 23 May, 1939

Returned to Service: Yes

Foundered off Portsmouth, NH while conducting a training drive. The flooding was caused by a fault in mechanical equipment that controlled the main engine induction valve. This large valve (36" diameter) provided air to the diesel engines while the submarine was surfaced. It is believed that it initially closed, but then re-opened after the Sqalus was already submerged, allowing water to rush into the submarine uncontrollably. The after torpedo room, both engine rooms, and the crew's quarters flooded immediately. 26 men drowned outright during the accident. Quick action by the crew prevented the other compartments from flooding. Squalus came to rest on the ocean floor in 240' of water.

Squalus was initially located by her sister ship, Sculpin. The two submarines were able to communicate using a telephone marker buoy. However, the cable parted after only a short time.

Divers from the rescue ship Falcon, under the direction of the salvage and rescue expert Lt. Cdr. Charles B. "Swede" Momsen, employing the new McCann diving bell (which Swede had originally designed, along with the Momsen escape lung), were able to rescue all surviving crew members from the disabled submarine. Four enlisted divers received the Congressional Medal of Honor for their work during the Sqalus rescue and subsequent salvage.

Twenty six men lost, 33 survivors.

(Barrows; Maas; U.S. Navy DANFS 6: 233)

Return to The Inter-War Years

Return to Peacetime Submarine Accidents

U.S.S. Squalus (SS-192) in drydock after being salvaged (145k GIF)
(U.S. Navy Official Photograph)

Squalus was later raised, overhauled, and returned to active service. The decision was made to change her name, due to the loss of life. Recommissioned as the Sailfish, but with the same hull number, SS-192 would be known by her crews as the "Squalfish" and was originally thought to be an "unlucky" boat. However, she went on to serve with great distinction during World War II, even sinking the Aircraft Carrier IJN Chuyo.(Unknown to the crew of the Sailfish, the Chuyo was carrying 21 captured crew members of the Sculpin. Only one survived.)

(Note - The Discovery Channel has, in the past, regularly aired a very nice documentary on the Squalus accident and rescue as part of it's "Shipwreck" series. It is filled with both period footage, computer animations, and interviews with still living Squaluscrew members. It repeats about once every three months are so, and is VERY worth watching.)

If you wish to order this video, the exact title is "Shipwreck: Deep Sea Rescue", the stock number is 122028, and the cost is $19.95. It is available directly from the Discovery channel store.

It is also worth noting that Peter Maas wrote an excellent book, The Terrible Hours about Swede Momsen and the Squalus rescue.