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The oldest of
the submarines to see combat action in the Pacific, this post
World War I vintage boat was certainly not designed for the
type of war in which they were engaged against Japan.
Originally employed as a fleet "scout" for operations in the
Atlantic, these "Pigboats" were reluctantly pressed into
service during the early days of the war against Japan due to
the U.S. Navy's severe shortage of fleet boats. Old, obsolete,
underpowered with limited range and inadequately armed, they
were often assigned to the least important patrol areas,
however S-class submarines accounted for sinking 14 Japanese
ships. Relegated to that of a training vessel in the latter
stages of the war, twenty two of fifty one S Class submarines
served their country valiantly and with heroic distinction
against a tenacious enemy and tremendous odds.
Specifications listed below describe the four versions of the
S-Class submarines deployed against Japan during World War II:
S-1, S-11, S-42 and S-48. |
|
S-1 |
|
Displacement |
800 surfaced, 1062
submerged |
|
Length (in feet) |
219' 3" |
|
Beam |
20' 6" |
|
Draft |
15' 1" |
|
Machinery |
2 diesel: 2
electric motors
|
|
Max power (in hp) |
1200 surfaced; 1500 submerged |
|
Range (in miles) |
5000 at 10 knots
surfaced |
|
Max Speed (in knots) |
14.5 surf. / 11 sub. |
|
Torpedo tubes |
4 - 21" forward,
12 torpedoes |
|
Guns |
1 - 3" AA |
|
Crew |
38 |
|
Max dive depth |
200' |
|
S-11 |
|
Displacement |
790 surfaced, 1092
submerged |
|
Length (in feet) |
231' |
|
Beam |
21' 6" |
|
Draft |
12' 6" |
|
Machinery |
2 diesel: 2
electric motors
|
|
Max power (in hp) |
2000 surfaced; 1200 submerged |
|
Range (in miles) |
5000 at 10 knots
surfaced |
|
Max Speed (in knots) |
15
surf. / 10 sub. |
|
Torpedo tubes
§ |
4 forward, 1 aft,
14 torpedoes |
|
Guns |
1
- 4" 50 cal |
|
Crew |
38 |
|
Max dive depth |
200' |
§
NOTES: S14 through S17 boats had four 21" forward tubes, carrying
twelve
torpedoes.
All of the
S 11 class boats were known as "Bureau Designed".
|
S-42 |
|
Displacement |
850 surfaced,1126
submerged |
|
Length (in feet) |
225' 3" |
|
Beam |
20' 6" |
|
Draft |
15' 3" |
|
Machinery |
2 diesel: 2
electric motors
|
|
Max power (in hp) |
2000 surfaced; 1500 submerged |
|
Range (in miles) |
5000 at 10 knots
surfaced |
|
Max Speed (in knots) |
14.5 surf. / 11 sub. |
|
Torpedo tubes |
4 forward, 1 aft,
12 torpedoes |
|
Guns |
1
- 4½ inch |
|
Crew |
45 |
|
S-48 |
|
Displacement
|
1000 surfaced, 1458 submerged
|
| Length (in feet) |
267' |
|
Beam |
21' 6" |
| Draft |
10' 11" |
|
Machinery |
2 diesel engine, 2 electric |
| Max power (in hp) |
2000 surfaced;
1500 submerged |
|
Range (in miles) |
5000 at 10 knots surfaced |
| Max speed (in knts) |
14.5 surf / 11 sub |
|
Torpedo tubes |
4 forward, 1 aft, 12 torpedoes |
| Guns |
1 - 4" 50cal |
|
Crew |
45 |
|
