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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
901 M STREET SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --

USS Dace (SS-247), 1943-1955

USS Dace, a 1526-ton Gato class submarine, was built at Groton, Connecticut. Commissioned in July 1943, she served in the Pacific from September 1943 through the end of World War II. Carrying out seven war patrols, Dace received postwar credit for sinking six sizable Japanese ships, including the heavy cruiser Maya.

Out of commission from February 1947 until August 1951, Dace operated in the Atlantic during 1951-53 then underwent an extensive modernization. After a brief period of active duty from October 1954 through January 1955, she was transferred to the Italian Navy, in which she was named Leonardo da Vinci. The submarine remained in Italian service until disposed of in 1972.

This page features our only views of USS Dace and provides information on other photographs that may be available from the National Archives.

If you want higher resolution reproductions than this digital image, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: 80-G-K-15445 (Color)

USS Dace (SS-247)


Commissioning ceremonies at the New London submarine base, Groton, Connecticut, 23 July 1943.
The submarine's Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Joseph F. Enright (second from right) is reading his orders. Civilian standing second from left is Mr. L.Y. Spear, President of the Electric Boat Company, which built Dace.
Note Marine bugler at left.
Photographer was probably Commander Edward Steichen, USNR.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives.

Online Image: 78KB; 590 x 765 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 

Photo #: 80-G-K-15443 (Color)

USS Dace (SS-247)
-- at left

At the New London submarine base, Groton, Connecticut, on 23 July 1943, the day she was placed in commission.
Note women visitors on board Dace, and hull details on the submarine at right.
Photographer was probably Commander Edward Steichen, USNR.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives.

Online Image: 62KB; 740 x 555 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 

Photo #: 80-G-K-16049 (Color)

USS Dace (SS-247)
-- at left

At the New London submarine base, Groton, Connecticut, on 23 July 1943, the day she was placed in commission.
Photographed by Commander Edward Steichen, USNR.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives.

Online Image: 68KB; 740 x 570 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 

Photo #: NH 69567-KN (Color)

Insignia: USS Dace (SS-247)


Emblem used during World War II.

Courtesy of the U.S. Submarine Veterans of World War II.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 91KB; 740 x 615 pixels

 


While the Naval Historical Center has no other views of USS Dace, the National Archives appears to hold additional photographs. The following list features some of these images:

The images listed below are NOT in the Naval Historical Center's collections.
DO NOT try to obtain them using the procedures described in "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions.".


  • Photo #: 80-G-445146
    USS Dace (SS-247), underway in Long Island Sound, 17 July 1952.
    Port bow surface view, taken by AFCA J.L. Hartzell. It shows Dace in essentially the same general configuration as during the latter part of World War II, with a 5"/25 deck gun mounted aft and single 40mm guns at each end of the conning tower.

  • Photo #: 80-G-653060
    USS Dace (SS-247), underway off Boon Island, 11 December 1954.
    Port bow aerial view, taken by a photographer from NAS Quonset Point, Rhode Island. It shows Dace as modernized, in a "GUPPY" external configuration, with streamlined stepped sail, rounded bow and very little deck clutter.


    Reproductions of these images should be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system for pictures not held by the Naval Historical Center.

    The images above are NOT in the Naval Historical Center's collections. DO NOT try to obtain them using the procedures described in "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions.".


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    28 February 1999