After the rescue had been made and thirty-three men brought safely to the surface, one nationally-known radio commentator told how “lucky” the U. S. Navy had been since other Navies had not been able to rescue their men even under favorable weather conditions. It wasn't a matter of luck--just a case of good planning and training on the part of our Navy. Every submarine that dives at any time, other than in time of war, sends out a diving report to the nearest senior officer. In the case of the SQUALUS this report went to Admiral Cole and said, “Action: Navy Yard Portsmouth, New Hampshire, from U. S. S. Squalus. Diving lat. 4254, long. 7036, course 153, speed 6, duration 1, at 0745.” Obviously he was giving his longitude and latitude, his speed and the time of his dive, and the fact that he planned to stay under one hour.
When the surfacing report was not received, the wheels of the rescue and salvage organization were set in motion. Admiral Cole was notified by his communications officer. He, in turn, notified the Bureau of Navigation. He also notified our Commanding Officer, Captain Edwards, because we had the nearest diving bell and rescue ship.
The FALCON made all of the speed she possibly could but it was a tortuous and difficult route. Down the Thames River, past Block Island, up Buzzards Bay, through the Cape Cod Canal, up the Massachusetts coast, and past Boston and Cape Ann. At the best possible time, we could make the trip in not less than 14 or 15 hours. A long time for men to wait in the cold, black compartment of a submarine on the bottom of the sea!