When Holland VI accidentally sank with its hatches open in New York Harbor on 13 October 1897,[1] Cable was dispatched by Rice to assist with the repairs.
Cable had previously specialized in the design and production of propulsion machinery, including diesel engines and electric motors and was able to co-ordinate repair work and restore the submarine's operations.
A key proposal of Cable's was to improve the submarine's handling by relocating the rudder and stern diving planes aft the propeller.
Following the commissioning of USS Holland, Cable was engaged to train prospective submarine crews in Britain, Japan and Russia.
The NELSECO plant was located on the eastern bank of the Thames River in Groton, Connecticut where the General Dynamics Electric Boat Division yard is today (2018).