Local History: Saga of the Submarine Squalus

Join us for a special screening of Saga of the Submarine Squalus followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers. 

May 23, 1939 was just an ordinary day on the seacoast of New Hampshire as the Portsmouth Navy Yard-built submarine, the USS Squalus, prepared for its 19^th test dive six miles southeast of the Isles of Shoals.

During this dive, the main induction valve failed to close and water rushed into the aft compartments of the submarine. Submerged in 240 feet of water, 33 of its 59 crew members were saved in one of the greatest submarine rescues in the history of the United States Navy. Karen Raynes and Mike Garland will present their documentary Saga of the Submarine Squalus and tell the story of the rescue, salvage, and rebirth of the Squalus as the USS Sailfish.

Registration is required. This event is free and open to all. Attend in person in the library’s Levenson Room.

About the Presenters
Retiring to Hampton, NH nine years ago, Karen Raynes was looking for something enriching to invest her energy in after working as a chef for a number of years. She found at the Tuck Museum in Hampton a place to research and create programs to benefit her community. Three years ago, Karen met Mike Garland whose interest in film led to a collaborative effort to research and film documentaries about local history. Together, they have produced two educational documentaries: Hampton Voices from WWI and Saga of the Submarine Squalus.

Mike Garland spent most of his career working in the Information Technology Division of Polaroid Corporation. After Polaroid’s bankruptcy, he worked for a number of other companies and institutions in various roles. Upon retirement, he started dabbling in videography and eventually teamed up with Hampton Historical Society member Karen Raynes to create documentaries about local historical events.