Allan Rockwell McCann was born in North Adams, Massachusetts, on 20 September 1896. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1917 and served in the battleship Kansas (BB-21) until 1919. He then received instruction in submarines and was then assigned to USS K-6 (SS-37). In 1921-24, Lieutenant McCann commanded the submarines N-4 (SS-56), L-3 (SS-42) and R-21 (SS-98). Two years of technical duties ashore were followed by command of USS S-46 (SS-157) in 1926-29.
During 1929-31, Lieutenant Commander McCann was assigned to the Bureau of Construction and Repair, where he was responsible for final development of a submarine rescue diving bell, which came to be called the "McCann Rescue Chamber". He commanded the submarine Bonita (SS-165) in 1931-34, then had service ashore, was First Lieutenant of the cruiser Indianapolis (CA-35) and served on the staff of Commander, Cruisers, Scouting Force. In 1939, while assigned to the Bureau of Navigation, Commander McCann was sent to help with rescue and salvage operations on USS Squalus (SS-192), which had accidently sunk off Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
In 1941-44, Captain McCann led two submarine squadrons, served in important positions at the Navy Department and was commanding officer of the battleship Iowa (BB-61). After promotion to the rank of Rear Admiral, he was Chief of Staff to Commander, Tenth Fleet, served with the Atlantic Fleet and Commanded Task Force 68, which escorted President Harry S. Truman to and from the Potsdam Conference. Late in 1945, following further duty in Washington, D.C., he became Commander, Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet. He was a member of the Navy's General Board and Inspector General of the Navy Department from September 1948 until May 1950, when he retired with the rank of Vice Admiral. Allan R. McCann died on 22 February 1978.
This page features all our images of Vice Admiral Allan R. McCann, USN(Ret.).
If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions." |
Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.
Photo #: 80-G-K-14128 (Color) Captain Allan R. McCann, USN Photographed in Service Dress Grey Uniform, circa 1943-44, while he was serving with the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, in Washington, D.C. A submariner, he was responsible for the final development of the McCann Rescue Chamber for saving crews of sunken submarines. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Online Image: 73KB; 580 x 765 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: NH 83110 Commander, Cruisers, Scouting Force and his staff On board USS Chicago (CA-29) in 1938. Those present are identifed on the photograph, and in Photo # NH 83110 (complete caption). See Photo # NH 83111 for a copy of this image that has been autographed by all those present. Courtesy of Captain Frank K.B. Wheeler, USN (Retired), 1975. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 110KB; 740 x 575 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 57500 USS Squalus (SS-192) Salvage Operations, 1939 Scene on the after deck of USS Falcon (ASR-2) during the early stages of the salvage operations, 30 May 1939, showing congested conditions. View looks forward and to port, with diving stage in left center background. Officer leaning against rope in left center appears to be Commander Allan R. McCann. Photographed by the Portsmouth Navy Yard, Kittery, Maine. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center. Online Image: 97KB; 740 x 525 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 57501 USS Squalus (SS-192) Salvage Operations, 1939 Scene on the after deck of USS Falcon (ASR-2) during the early stages of the salvage operations, 30 May 1939, showing congested conditions. View looks to port, with men assisting a diver toward the left. Officer behind them, in center, appears to be Commander Allan R. McCann. Photographed by the Portsmouth Navy Yard, Kittery, Maine. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center. Online Image: 97KB; 740 x 520 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 57334 Acting Secretary of the Navy Charles Edison (center) Reads a Letter of Commendation from President Franklin D. Roosevelt to members of the USS Squalus (SS-192) salvage unit, in his Navy Department offices, 16 September 1939. Looking on are Commander Allan R. McCann, USN, (left) and Commander Charles B. Momsen, USN, (right). U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 123KB; 740 x 610 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 57333 Acting Secretary of the Navy Charles Edison (left) Reading Letter of Commendation from President Franklin D. Roosevelt to several members of the USS Squalus (SS-192) salvage unit, in his Navy Department offices, 16 September 1939. The others present are (from left to right): Commander Charles B. Momsen, USN; Chief Metalsmith J.H. McDonald, USN; Chief Torpedoman W.H. Squire, USN; Ship Fitter First Class H.H. Frye, USN; Torpedoman First Class J.W. Thompson, USN; Lieutenant Karl R. Wheland, USN; Commander Henry Hartly, USN, and Commander Allan R. McCann, USN. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 103KB; 740 x 615 pixels |
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For views of the McCann Rescue Chamber, see:
If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions." |
Page made 12 July 2000
Caption corrected 1 February 2002