The Rescue of the USS Squalus (SS-192)
The submarine USS Squalus (SS-192) suffered a catastrophic valve failure during a test dive off the Isle of Shoals at 0740 on 23 May 1939. The partially flooded submarine sank and came to rest keel down in 240 feet of water. The 32 surviving crewmembers and one civilian were trapped in the forward section. Rescue operations began the next day. The USS Falcon (ASR-2) lowered the newly developed McCann rescue chamber, which was designed for the purpose of rescuing crewmen trapped in a submarine. Over the course of the day all 33 surviving crewmen where brought to the surface alive.
The works contained in this exhibit were painted in 1966 for the Navy and are the artist's conception of the event.
