Morning Oregonian., March 27, 1915, Page 2, Image 2

THE MORNING OREGONIAN, SATURDAY; MARCH 37, 1913.
AMERICAN "HARD-LUCK" SUBMARINE WHICH WAS IN DISASTER OFF HAWAIIAN COAST AND CREW,
f M LONG THOUGHT
9-
WHICH INCLUDED PORTLAND BOY.
UNLUGKIEST GRAFT
Previous Recent Accident on
Lost Submarine Told by
Portland Man Aboard.
PEOPLES
1130 A. M.
TO
U0 P. M.
OTHER MISHAPS NUMEROUS
IT H E A T E R
1 1 i W fts SEE 41
M'WimmmL T . ; il :' SvlT- . :. WX"- T 'V. fill
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Scattering of Crew by Explosion
Jfarcli Described by Georso
I.. Dcetli, Member of Crew,
in Letter to Friend.
"The F-4 ha3 been the unluckiest
boat' in the flotilla," wrote George L.
Deetli to Herman Plass, of 9J Front
street, in ft letter dated March 7. Deeth
is the Portland boy who was a member
of the crew of the submarine when
fhe was lost off the Hawaiian coast
yesterday.
"Since we arrived here it has been
Just one blamed thing after another."
continues the letter, which then de
6cribed an explosion that had occurred
on the vessel on the day previous.
, "The explosion almost wrecked the
Inside of the boat." he wrote. "It
bruised a number of us fellows by hurl
ing us against the side of the ship.
was busy working at a small desk
when it occurred all at once. I was
thrown against the top of the boat and
name down on the deck with a bang.
While I was In the air something struck
me on the legs. It was almost an hour
before all the sting had left. We were
all lucky enough to come out of it in
one piece instead of being picked up
in sections." '
Vessel Previously I" Trouble.
In the same letter Deeth said that
they would go to Pearl Harbor the fol
lowing day "to have another main mo
tor installed in place of one that was
burned ud the other day.
He alo wrote enthusiastically of
vassing successfully the examination
for a first-class electrician. He ex
oected to receive his appointment with
in a few days. This position would
pay him $75 a month besides hia living
exoenses and clothing:.
Other reports tell of mishaps to the
vessel frequently from the time she
went into commission.
How the vessel misbehaved on its
first trip is told by Harvey Webber,
chief machinist of the Oregon Naval
Keserve, who is stationed on the United
States cruiser Boston, in Portland har
bor. When the F-4 left the Bremerton
jiavy-Yard as a new boat for its first
long voyage Mr. Webber was a member
of the crew as first-class machinist.
Towing la Necessary.
"She left Tuget Sound under her own
power, but before we reached
the Co
lumbia River bar we had a great deal
of trouble with her air compressor,
said Webber yesterday. "Consequently
we got a long towline and the cruiser
St. Louis towed ua to a position oppo
site Point Reyes, which is about 40
miles north of San Francisco. From
there the made San Francisco under
Vi.r nwn nower.
I then left and went back to the
St. Louis, but I have heard many times
of trouble on the F-4. It has come to
be known among all seamen as a hard
luck craft." ; ; - ' -
Mr. Deeth was 24 years old. He was
born at Liberal. Or., July 17, 1S9L His
widowed mother. Mrs. Esther Aon
Deeth. lives at 1783 East Fifteenth
street. A sister. Miss Edna Deeth. is a
bookkeeper at the United States Laun
dry. A brother, Deeth. is an operator
with the Western Union in Portland.
Kefore his enlistment in the Navy in
August. 1913. he was employed by a
local hardware firm.
Others of Crew Recruited Here.
Previously Mr. Deeth had served in
the Oregon Naval Militia more than two
years. When he resigned to enter the
Navy he was chief quartermaster on
the Bston.
Albert H. Mollien. of Oregon City,
who enlisted at the same time, also was
on the ill-fated F-4 for a time, but re
cently was transferred to the F-3.
Three other boys who were reported
to be members of the crew of the F-4
when she was lost enlisted in Portland
and left here with Deeth and Mellien.
They were Edward S. Hill, of Chicago;
Albert F. Jennie, of Festus, Mo., and
Clark G. Buck, of Tacoma.
t TACOMA BOY 6 YEARS IX XAVY
Mother, Brother and Sister of F. H.
Sailor Reside in Washington.
TACOMA. Wash., March 26. (Spe
cial.) Clark George Buck. 22 years
old. gunner's mate, second class, on
the submarine F-4. was the son of Mrs.
Amanda Schrag, 3608 South E street.
He was a '(Graduate of Fernhill School
and lived in Tacoma from 1905 until
he Joined the Navy in 1909. He was
born in California, Mo.
"George had never learned to drink,
swear, smoke or chew." said Mrs.
Schrag today. "He was a member of
the V. M. C. A. and carried his card
with him wherever he went. It was
his intention to make the Navy his
life work. Ho was in Tacoma last
Summer on bis vacation."
There are four other brothers. Lieu
tenant Lee Buck, of Tacoma; Hoyt
Buck, of Everett: Roy Buck, attending
the Tacoma schools, and Victor Buck,
of Nebraska. There are also two sisters,-
Miss Nellie Buck, who lives with
her mother, and Mrs. F. Ryan, of Kan
sas City.
OKKGOX CITY MAX XOT ABOARD
Brother of Albert II. Mellien Has
Letter Telling or Transfer.
OREGON CITY. Or.. March IS. (Spe
cial.) Albert H. Mellien, of Oregon City,
left the submarine F-4 only a few
weeks before it made its unfortunate
"plunge in the Pacific yesterday, accord
ing to a letter received four days ago
by James Mellien. brother of Albert H.
-Mellien. The letter was written about
three weeks ago.
Mellien said he had been transferred
from the F-4 to the F-3. where he had
charsre of the engine-room. It is not
considered probable here that he was
reassigned to the F-4.
Mellien has two brothers here, James
and Frank Mellien. They are employed
in the Oregon City woolen mills. Mrs.
Mellien is visiting- In California and
thrlr " t'vo children, Wanda. 12 years
old. and Thelina. 10 years old. are here
attending ex. hool and are living with
Mrs. Mellien's mother, Mrs. N. L. Mc
Kune. Eighth and Van Buren streets.
Mellien is serving his second enlist
ment in the Navy. His last visit to
Oregon City was made about two years
ago. Previous to hia service in t.e
Navy he was employed in Oregon City
mills. He was chief mechanic's mate
on the F-4.
J. P. Morgan Safe In London.
LONDON. March 26. J. P. Morgan
and Mrs. Morgan and the other pas
sengers of the American line steamship
Philadelphia, which sailed from New
York March IS for Liverpool, reached
Ixindon today. Their trip across the
Atlantic was uneventful.
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, L" ".'V!. 4 i
MISSING F-4 FOUND VTl
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Grapplers Locate Submarine
at Depth of 300 Feet.
EFFORT. AT TOWING FAILS
Great Xaval Crane Is Sent lor
Raise) Unfortunate Craft Little
Hope That Crew Is Alrvc
Is Entertained.
Continued From First Page.
to
ing bell 01 ine internea uerman
steamer Pommern was kept tuned to
receive the slightest signal from the
lost submarine. Not a sound was
heard.
Arrangements were made to take
kite photographs of all suspected lo
cations of the diver by J. F. Haworth,
of the Harvard expedition, now in the
islands photographing volcanoes by
means of kites. Rear-Admiral Moore
hoped that the powerful lens of these
kite-cameras would register upon the
films the position of the F-4 beneath
the surface of the water.
DEPTH IS BAB TO ESCAPE
Naval Experts Discuss Dangers to
Submarine Under Pressure.
WASHINGTON. March 2G. Rear-Ad
miral Moore, at Honolulu, cabled the
Navy Department late tonight that the
missing submarine F-4 had been located
In 50 fathoms of water. He gave no
details.
Hope for the lives of the 21 men on
board the submarine practically was
abandoned by naval officers here on
receipt of this news. The F-4 was de
signed to resist water pressure at a
depth of approximately SO fathoms, or
lCrew of Ill-Kaed Submarine From
Photograph Owned by Sir. I.. W.
Deeth of Portland, Whose Son George
In the Man Standing at ITpper Left
Hand Corner of Picture. S F-4 From
Photograph Taken by The Oregonlan
Two Tears Ago. Below tleorge
Deeth. Portland Boy Believed Lost.
300 feet, but it was believed that it
wouldebe impossible for her to remain
at such a depth for any length of time
with safety.
Records show that when the V -1, a
boat of the same type, operated on her
trial trio for Just 10 minutes at a cieptn
of 283 feet her hull groaned and took in
water.
Naval construction experts agree that
the tremendous pressure of the water
at any depth below 50 or 60 feet offers
a serious handicap, to say the least, to
any effort to provide sale exit irom a
sunken submarine.
Mariv Dlans have been advanced and
considered by the Navy Department for
minimizing the dangers from accidents
REVISED LIST OF MEMBERS OF CREW WHO WERE ON BOARD
SUBMARINE F-4 ON HER UNLUCKY VOYAGE.
WASHINGTON, March 26. The State Department tonight obtained
from Honolulu a revised list of the crew of the submarine F-4 on
board her at the time she disappeared yesterday. Some changes were
made in the list published earlier in the day as being the best informa
tion then obtainable. The revised list is:
George T. Ashcraft gunner's mate, first class, Los Angeles, Cal.;
Mary K- Ashcraft. mother, same address.
Clark G. Buck, gunner's mate, second class, Tacoma, Wash.; Mrs.
Amanda Schrog, mother, same address.
Ernest K. Cavln. machinist's mate, second class, New Orleans, La.:
Marie Ash, sister, same address.
Harley Colwell. chief electrician, Seattle, Wash.; James Colwell,
father, same address.
Walter F. Covington, machinist's mate, first class, Fort Worth,
Tex.; Sidney Covington, father, Byers, Tex.
George L. Deeth, electrician, second class, 1783 Bast Fifteenth street.
Portland, Or.; Mrs. Hester A. Deeth, mother, same address.
Lieutenant Alfred Louis Alfred Ede, Reno. Nev, commanding.
Frederick Gilman, first class gunner's mate.
Ailston H. Grlndle, chief electrician, San Francisco: Joshua Grlndle,
father. Mendocino, Cal-
Frank N. Herog, second class electrician.
Edwin S. Hill, machinist's mate, first class, Etowah, Tenn.; John
E. Hill, father, same address.
Francis M. Hughaon, machinist's mate,-first class, Los Angeles,
Cal.: Mrs. Mary E. Hughson, mother, same address.
Albert F. Jennie, electrician, second class, Festus, Mo.; Andrew J.
Jennie, father, same address.
Archie H. Lunger, gunner's mate, second class, Erie, Pa.; Mrs. Mae
Lunger, wife, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Ivan L. Mahan. machinist's mate, first class, Lima, O.; Mrs. Mar
garet C Mahan. wife, Vallejo, Cal.
Horace L MooAe, gunner's mate, first class, Philadelphia; Horace
H. Moore, uncle. Sprinklake, N. J.
William S. Nelson, chief machinlnst's mate. New York' City; Sirs.
Elsie Nelson, wife. Los Angeles.
Timothy A. Parker, ensign.
Frank C. Plerard. chief gunner's mate. Lav erne, Cal.; Mrs.
Frances M. Plerard, wife. San Diego, Cal.
Charles H. Wells, machinist's mate, second class, Norfolk, Va.; Eliza
beth M. Wells, same address. '
Henry A. Withers, gunner's mate, first class, San Diego, CaL;
Charles A. Withers, brother, same address.
below the surface. Some of the ideas
have proved entirely impracticable, as
for instance, a plan to provide each man
aboard the submarine with a diving
helmet- It was found that the helmets
took up so much room that they could
not be stowed on the boat. Escape by
means of the torpedo tubes has been
suggested often, and some time ago a
man aboard the cruiser Tennessee
pluckilv permitted himself to be shot
through a tube. He came out safely,
but this experiment was made at only
ten feet depth, and submarine officers
say that at bo or more feet under water
a man who crawled Into a tube would
be immediately crushed by a pressure
of 30 pounds to the square inch. Air
chambers are provided on most of the
modern boats, however, and at a moder
ate depth the men might release them
selves and rise to the surface. The F-4
has such a contrivance, the conning
tower being arranged in two sections
for the purpose.
The stay of a submarine below water
is limited by the supply of oxygen. In
endurance tests in not deep water, 24
hours has been the limit.
There is danger of development of
leaks under the high pressure at un
usual depths. Commander Stirling, in
charge of the submarine service, says,
however, a submarine might lie on the
bottom "if within '150 feet" and stay
there from 12 to 24 hours with perfect
safety.
The F-4 is equipped with a Nurem-berg-Deisel
engine of a heavy oil-burning
type.
The tremendous range of tempera
ture, which affects the expansion and
contraction of the castings used, fre
quently causes cracks in the cylinder
heads and piston heads.
The lead battery, too, always has
been a source of apprehension on craft
like the F-4. When a battery has been
in service any length of time there are
many things that can happen. The
plates may buckle, there may be short
circuits, and there may be a battery ex
plosion of the hydrogen gas given oft
in the vessel.
The question of ventilation of the
batteries has received a great deal of
attention. The deadly gas of hydro
chloride forms when salt water gets In
a lead battery, and its dangers have
been pointed out in Congressional hear
ings and reports. With 30 pounds pres
sure to the square inch at 60 feet depth
the water inside the ballast tank is
likely to be forced up through the bat
tery tank. The Navy has installed what
is called the automatic blow to prevent
a vessel going below the depth set, gen
erally 65 feet.
The latest reports on the F-4 made
DUblio by the Navy Department indi
cated that her main engine was in good
condition; that the batteries required
overhauling; that the hull was in good
condition, and that it was otherwise In
good shape.
RAiLROADS WILL APPEAL
MISSOURI COMPANIES NOT TO AC
CEPT REFUSAL.
Missouri' Pacific Presldeat Sara la
creased Hates Are Essential to
Continued Existence.
ST. LOUIS, March 26. President
Bush, of the Missouri Pacific Railroad,
announced today that the railroads of
Missouri would appeal to the courts in
their efforts to get increased Intra
state freight and passenger rates if
an increase is not granted by the Pub
lice Service Commission of this state.
A statement made by President Bush
In a lengthy analysis of the railroad
rate situation in Missouri said in part:
It takes o expert to demonstrate
that with their income cut down be
low their outgo the railroads of the
state must have increased rates If they
are to continue to exist and serve the
people.
"The fact that the financial world
will not touch railroad securities of
any kind is an all-sufficient answer to
the contention of the average politi
cian that the earnings are adequate.
Anyone can foretell the business par
alysis and widespread disaster to the
commercial and agricultural interests
that will follow a few more receiver
ships of Missouri railroads.
"If a physical valuation is required
before the relief granted, then it
would be like medical aid after the
death of the patient."
1, -
Leading Photo-Play House Wert Park and Alder
Last Chance Tonight
Everybody's darling:
Marguerite Clark
Showing her as a fascinating coquette and a terrible little
flirt in
Gretna Green
Then Tomorrow for Four Days
John Barrymore
That rattling fine comedian in that scream of a play that
has made the whole world laugh
Are You a Mason?
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THANKS SENT AMERICA
QIEEX MOTHER OP ENGLAND IS
GRATEFUL FOR RED CROSS AID.
Alexandra Expresses Her Gratitude la
Letter to Mrs. Whltelaw Held.
Austrian Also Acknowledges.
WASHINGTON. March 26. England's
Queen Mother, Alexandra, has written
an autograph note to Mrs. Whltelaw
Reid in London, expressing gratitude
for the aid given by the American Red
Cross in caring for sick and wounded
British soldiers and sailors.
The Queen s note, made public at nea
Cross headquarters here today, fol
lows:
"As president of the English Red
Cross Society, I heg you kindly to con
vey to the American Red Cross my
highest appreciation oi tneir maginii
cent gifts to this noble work for which
the whole English nation is profoundly
grateful. I am mostly deeply toucnea
by the kind assistance and sympathy
shown us by the American people."
Mrs. Reid also forwarded a letter
of thanks and appreciation she had re
celved from Sir William Garston, chief
of the supply division or the n.ngnsn
Red Cross. Through the American Am
bassador at Vienna came a similar let
ter from Count Rudolf Traun. of the
central organization of the Austrian
Red Cross.
JAPAN IS HOST AT FAIR
VICE-PRESIDENT MARSHALL
' GUEST AT RECEPTION'.
all over he country as an advanced
student of sociology and penology. Is
critically ill here tonight. He came
here to recuperate from a nervous
breakdown.
Cnnard Profits Large.
LONDON, March J6. The Cnnard
Steamship Company's accounts to the
end of the year show a profit of (1,417,
31! ($7,OS6,(iJ0). The directors rec
ommend that a dividend of 10 per cent
and In addition a bonus of 10 V'er cent
be paid.
The nun gives IKK) limes muli Unlit
thit full moon.
PI
Toasts to President Wilson and Mikado
Are Exchanged Affair In Honor
of Exposition Commission.
r. . x T-T-. a xrr-Tc-nn March 26. Vice-
President Marshall attended the Japa
nese reception and ' dinner to the offi
cials of the Panama-Pacific Exposition
r h California building tonight. -It
. . ...... i A,an in o wiek of ftocial
was me iux w.c.fc ... --
. . i ...... u o-ivian in nnnnr nf
ana puunu lum-nw.. ..--
.kA in... f ra, npni R VIM I. it. M 1. 1 1 it c
sertative of President Wilson, to dedi
cate the exposition.
Admiral Isaron aoioisicni uuu, .no
nresident of the Japanese commission.
was the host.
vi...D..BM.nt ATarshn.ll snoke to the
fount of President Wilson. A member
of the Japanese embassy responded to
. i . . . .A th. Hf il-n,rlfV
Earlier In the day the Vice-President
officially greeted the representatives of
the foreign nations at their buildings.
He made 18 calls.
The Vice-Presidential party will leave
Ran Francisco tomorrow for a brief
. . himA nf T7n1te.fl States Sena
tor Phelan at Saratoga, attending the
Santa Clara uouniy rnossom reouvai
meanwhile. Later the party will pro
ceed to San Diego.
Bill Restricting Hangman Passes.
NASHVILLE. Tenn., March 26. The
bill abolishing capital punisnment in
Tennessee except for cases of criminal
assault or life convicts who commit
murder was passed today by the ben
ate and now awaits the Governor's
action.
German Loan Heavily Subscribed.
BERLIN. March 26, by wireless to
Sayville, N. Y. The Overseas News
Agency says that subscriptions to the
second German war loan now amount
to 9,060,000.000 marks, besides sub
scriptions of the troops at the front.
Noted Penologist Critically 111.
CHARLESTON. S. C., March 26. Dr.
Charles Richardson. Henderson. Known
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