.gif)
USS S-20 (SS-125)
Encyclopedia
USS S-20 (SS-125) was a first-group (S-1 or "Holland") S-class submarine
of the United States Navy
. Her keel was laid down on 15 August 1918 by the Bethlehem Shipbuilding
Corporation in Quincy, Massachusetts
. She was launched
on 9 June 1920 sponsored by Miss Anne Claggett Zell, and commissioned
on 22 November 1922 with Lieutenant
John A. Brownell in command.
S-20 was rebuilt in 1924, with a larger bow (similar to that of the V-1
class) to improve seakeeping and blisters on the upper hull to hold more fuel, but this modification was not repeated on any other members of the class. She was also used as an experimental engine test vessel, with a new high-speed geared-drive 600 hp MAN diesel replacing her starboard engine in 1931.
In 1932, this new engine was replaced by a prototype diesel-electric
plant. This was a MAN-type 635 hp 16-cylinder
engine running at even higher speed, driving an electrical generator
, built by General Dynamics Electric Boat and designated 16VM1. Electricity produced by the generator was used to drive a high-speed electric motor geared to the shaft; there was no direct connection between the diesel engine and the shaft. Diesel-electric propulsion was then adopted for many U.S. submarines through World War II, starting with the 1932 Porpoise class
; other navies did not follow suit until after the war.
from 1922–1929, the new submarine visited Coco Solo
in the Panama Canal Zone
in March 1923; served at Saint Thomas, United States Virgin Islands in February 1924; and operated in the Panama Canal
area from January through April 1926. S-20 visited Kingston, Jamaica
from 20–28 March 1927, and served again in the Panama Canal area from 17 April 1929-November 1930. Departing Coco Solo on 7 November, S-20 arrived at Pearl Harbor
on 7 December. Following duty there, she sailed on 20 February 1932, and from March 1932-April 1933, served at Mare Island
. Later, she operated mainly at San Diego, California
into 1934. Departing San Diego on 15 March, S-20 returned to New London on 28 October. From then until December 1941, she operated there as part of a test and evaluation division. During this period, she visited Guantanamo in February-March 1938; served in the Panama Canal area from January-March 1939; and visited Guantanamo again in February 1940. Her commanding officer in 1936-1937 was Lieutenant John P. Cromwell
, a future posthumous Medal of Honor
recipient for his actions aboard in 1943.
and often included training activities at Casco Bay, Maine. Departing New London on 2 July 1945, S-20 was decommissioned on 16 July at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
. Her name was struck from the Naval Vessel Register
on 25 July. She was sold on 22 January 1946 to North American Smelting Company, Philadelphia for scrapping.
United States S class submarine
The United States' S-class submarines, often simply called S-boats , were the first class of submarines built to a United States Navy design....
of the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
. Her keel was laid down on 15 August 1918 by the Bethlehem Shipbuilding
Bethlehem Shipbuilding
Bethlehem Sparrows Point Shipyard was founded in 1887 as Maryland Steel in Sparrows Point, Maryland. It was acquired by Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation in 1916 and renamed Bethlehem Sparrows Point Shipyard. The shipyard was sold in 1997 to Baltimore Marine Industries Inc....
Corporation in Quincy, Massachusetts
Quincy, Massachusetts
Quincy is a city in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. Its nicknames are "City of Presidents", "City of Legends", and "Birthplace of the American Dream". As a major part of Metropolitan Boston, Quincy is a member of Boston's Inner Core Committee for the Metropolitan Area Planning Council...
. She was launched
Ship naming and launching
The ceremonies involved in naming and launching naval ships are based in traditions thousands of years old.-Methods of launch:There are three principal methods of conveying a new ship from building site to water, only two of which are called "launching." The oldest, most familiar, and most widely...
on 9 June 1920 sponsored by Miss Anne Claggett Zell, and commissioned
Ship commissioning
Ship commissioning is the act or ceremony of placing a ship in active service, and may be regarded as a particular application of the general concepts and practices of project commissioning. The term is most commonly applied to the placing of a warship in active duty with its country's military...
on 22 November 1922 with Lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
John A. Brownell in command.
S-20 was rebuilt in 1924, with a larger bow (similar to that of the V-1
USS Barracuda (SS-163)
USS Barracuda , lead ship of her class and first of the "V-boats," was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for the barracuda .- Construction :...
class) to improve seakeeping and blisters on the upper hull to hold more fuel, but this modification was not repeated on any other members of the class. She was also used as an experimental engine test vessel, with a new high-speed geared-drive 600 hp MAN diesel replacing her starboard engine in 1931.
In 1932, this new engine was replaced by a prototype diesel-electric
Diesel-electric
Diesel-electric transmission or diesel-electric powertrain is used by a number of vehicle and ship types for providing locomotion.A diesel-electric transmission system includes a diesel engine connected to an electrical generator, creating electricity that powers electric traction motors...
plant. This was a MAN-type 635 hp 16-cylinder
Cylinder (engine)
A cylinder is the central working part of a reciprocating engine or pump, the space in which a piston travels. Multiple cylinders are commonly arranged side by side in a bank, or engine block, which is typically cast from aluminum or cast iron before receiving precision machine work...
engine running at even higher speed, driving an electrical generator
Electrical generator
In electricity generation, an electric generator is a device that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy. A generator forces electric charge to flow through an external electrical circuit. It is analogous to a water pump, which causes water to flow...
, built by General Dynamics Electric Boat and designated 16VM1. Electricity produced by the generator was used to drive a high-speed electric motor geared to the shaft; there was no direct connection between the diesel engine and the shaft. Diesel-electric propulsion was then adopted for many U.S. submarines through World War II, starting with the 1932 Porpoise class
United States Porpoise class submarine
The Porpoise class were submarines built for the United States Navy in the late 1930s, and incorporated a number of modern features that would make them the basis for subsequent classes such as the Salmon, Tambor, Gato, Balao, and Tench classes...
; other navies did not follow suit until after the war.
Inter-War Period
In addition to duty in northeastern points out of New London, ConnecticutNew London, Connecticut
New London is a seaport city and a port of entry on the northeast coast of the United States.It is located at the mouth of the Thames River in New London County, southeastern Connecticut....
from 1922–1929, the new submarine visited Coco Solo
Coco Solo
Coco Solo was a United States Navy submarine base established in 1918 on the Atlantic Ocean side of the Panama Canal Zone, near Colón, Panama....
in the Panama Canal Zone
Panama Canal Zone
The Panama Canal Zone was a unorganized U.S. territory located within the Republic of Panama, consisting of the Panama Canal and an area generally extending 5 miles on each side of the centerline, but excluding Panama City and Colón, which otherwise would have been partly within the limits of...
in March 1923; served at Saint Thomas, United States Virgin Islands in February 1924; and operated in the Panama Canal
Panama Canal
The Panama Canal is a ship canal in Panama that joins the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean and is a key conduit for international maritime trade. Built from 1904 to 1914, the canal has seen annual traffic rise from about 1,000 ships early on to 14,702 vessels measuring a total of 309.6...
area from January through April 1926. S-20 visited Kingston, Jamaica
Kingston, Jamaica
Kingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica, located on the southeastern coast of the island. It faces a natural harbour protected by the Palisadoes, a long sand spit which connects the town of Port Royal and the Norman Manley International Airport to the rest of the island...
from 20–28 March 1927, and served again in the Panama Canal area from 17 April 1929-November 1930. Departing Coco Solo on 7 November, S-20 arrived at Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor, known to Hawaiians as Puuloa, is a lagoon harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, west of Honolulu. Much of the harbor and surrounding lands is a United States Navy deep-water naval base. It is also the headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Fleet...
on 7 December. Following duty there, she sailed on 20 February 1932, and from March 1932-April 1933, served at Mare Island
Mare Island
Mare Island is a peninsula in the United States alongside the city of Vallejo, California, about northeast of San Francisco. The Napa River forms its eastern side as it enters the Carquinez Strait juncture with the east side of San Pablo Bay. Mare Island is considered a peninsula because no full...
. Later, she operated mainly at San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
into 1934. Departing San Diego on 15 March, S-20 returned to New London on 28 October. From then until December 1941, she operated there as part of a test and evaluation division. During this period, she visited Guantanamo in February-March 1938; served in the Panama Canal area from January-March 1939; and visited Guantanamo again in February 1940. Her commanding officer in 1936-1937 was Lieutenant John P. Cromwell
John P. Cromwell
Captain John Philip Cromwell was the most senior submariner awarded the Medal of Honor in World War II and one of the three submarine officers who received it posthumously...
, a future posthumous Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
recipient for his actions aboard in 1943.
World War II
From December 1941-July 1945, S-20 continued to operate from New London. Her operations were off New EnglandNew England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
and often included training activities at Casco Bay, Maine. Departing New London on 2 July 1945, S-20 was decommissioned on 16 July at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
. Her name was struck from the Naval Vessel Register
Naval Vessel Register
The Naval Vessel Register is the official inventory of ships and service craft in custody of or titled by the United States Navy. It contains information on ships and service craft that make up the official inventory of the Navy from the time a vessel is authorized through its life cycle and...
on 25 July. She was sold on 22 January 1946 to North American Smelting Company, Philadelphia for scrapping.