Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] The USS Squalus: Need help finding info

Kay,

I would suggest you start with the National Archives in DC. In grad school I wrote a paper on the loss of the S5. I went to the National Archives with no contacts or introductions whatsoever. At the front desk when I explained what I was looking for they brought out a naval history curator and half an hour later he had a trolley for me full of material on the S5. I was given a table in the public reading room, access to a photocopier, and as much time as I wished. There was the original ship's log, a congressional inquiry, etc. It was a wonderful experience of our tax dollars wisely used, besides being terrific for me as a student.

Alec

On Oct 24, 2009, at 4:08 AM, "Alan James" <alanjames@xtra.co.nz> wrote:

Hi Kay,

We had a childrens book writer, Barbara Oconner

http://www.barboconnor.com/index.html

place some questions on the web blog at psubs a

year back. She wanted to write a book about some

kids finding a kitset sub in a crate that had fallen off a train.

I corresponded with her for quite a while explaining things.

It wasn't as simple as she thought.

The last straw for her was when she suggested they could

swim out from their sub to the surface & I said it would make

a nice ending to her story as they would have compressed

air in their lungs & probably hold their breath & as the air

expanded while they surfaced, it would rupture their lungs &

possibly result in their death by an embolism.

I didn't hear any more so I assume she didn't write the story.

Alan

The contents of this e-mail are intended for the named addressee only. It contains information that may be confidential. Unless you are the named addressee or an authorized designee, you may not copy or use it, or disclose it to anyone else. If you received it in error please notify us immediately and then destroy it.

From: Kay Jackson

To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org

Sent: Saturday, October 24, 2009 7:56 PM

Subject: [PSUBS-MAILIST] The USS Squalus: Need help finding info

Hello, fellow submarine aficionados!

I am a nonfiction children's writer with 17 book published including one on submarines.

Now I am writing a book about the Squalus, a submarine which sank in May, 1939.

As part of my research, I am searching for photos, news articles, letters, and memorabilia connected to the Squalus. They may include photos of the wives and families, local news articles of the death of a sailor, personal letters from crew members to their families and friends, photos of a favorite bar, photos when the crew were children, etc. This type of information brings to life the men who served and died on the Squalus. This personal connection to the crew catches kids' attention and keeps them reading.

Any and all suggestions, ideas, points, hints, people to call, libraries to email would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Kay