Portsmouth, June 21.
A new hero was acclaimed in the Squalus submarine disaster here yesterday when Lieut, Oliver Naquin, commander of the ill-fated craft, testified before a Navy court of inquiry, Lieut, Naquin paid tribute to Lawrence J. Gamer, electrician's mate, who was credited with "heroism beyond the normal call of duty."
"Knowing that the ship was flooded aft, and that the battery would be directly shorted, and mindful of the danger which existed in his entering the forward battery tanks, he entered and pulled the connecting switch," Lieut. Naquin disclosed. "This undoubtedly saved a serious battery fire which might have prevented people in the control room from going forward into the torpedo room for ultimate rescue.
The commander of the Squalus also cited radioman Charles Powell and Arthur Booth and signalman Warren Smith who tapped steadily on the hull until the survivors were rescued.
Lieut. Naquin exonerated all 26 victims of the disaster of any misconduct and listed them as having died "in the line of duty."
He told the board of inquiry that a minor imperfection in the gear adjustment on the induction value might have caused the disaster.
"I feel that if there was some small imperfection in the adjustment of the gear, it was possible that additional friction would creep in and cause a failure in some other parts operating the gear."
He said as far as he knew there never had been any mechanical trouble in connection with closing the valve.—United Pres:
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