USS Nautilus, a 2730-ton Narwhal class cruiser submarine, was built at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California. Commissioned in July 1930 as USS V-6 (SC-2), she was renamed Nautilus in February 1931 and redesignated SS-168 in July 1931. Prior to World War II, she was mainly operated in the Pacific, based at Pearl Harbor and at San Diego. Modernized between July 1941 and April 1942, her first war patrol included intense involvement in the Battle of Midway, during which she attacked a Japanese aircraft carrier that was at that time identified as Soryu but was more probably Kaga. Later during that patrol, while off Japan, she sank the destroyer Yamakaze.
Nautilus then began an active career as a transport submarine, a role for which her large size made her especially useful. She landed Marines to raid Makin Island, in the Gilbert Islands in August 1942; put scouts ashore at Attu, in the Aleutians, in May 1943; again landed Marines in the Gilberts in November 1943 and carried out several missions into the Philippines area in May 1944 - January 1945. During this time Nautilus also conducted anti-shipping and reconnaissance patrols off Japan, in the Central Pacific and in the Solomons area, sinking and damaging several Japanese ships. Ordered home after her 14th war patrol, she arrived at Philadephia, Pennsylvania, in May 1945 and was decommissioned the following month. Nautilus was sold for scrapping in November 1945.
This page features selected views concerning USS Nautilus (SS-168), which was originally named V-6 (SC-2).
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 #: NH 45666 USS Nautilus (SS-168) Underway during the early 1930s. U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command Photograph. Online Image: 140KB; 740 x 615 pixels |
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Photo #: 19-N-29177 USS Nautilus (SS-168) Off the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 15 April 1942, following modernization. Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives. Online Image: 38KB; 740 x 555 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: 19-N-29179 USS Nautilus (SS-168) Off the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 15 April 1942, following modernization. Note her very heavy deck armament of two 6"/53 guns; also embrasure in her upper hull side, just in front of the forward gun, for newly-installed topside torpedo tubes. At least two torpedoes are on deck above this location, probably being prepared for stowage below. Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives. Online Image: 49KB; 740 x 605 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: 80-G-701871 Battle of Midway, June 1942 Diorama by Norman Bel Geddes, depicting the attack by USS Nautilus (SS-168) on a burning Japanese aircraft carrier during the early afternoon of 4 June 1942, as seen through the submarine's periscope. Nautilus thought she had attacked Soryu, and that her torpedoes had exploded when they hit the target. Most evidence, however, is that the ship attacked was Kaga, and that the torpedoes failed to detonate. The ship shown in this wartime diorama does not closely resemble either of those carriers. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives. Online Image: 75KB; 740 x 605 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: 80-G-20016 Lieutenant Commander William H. Brockman, Jr., USN After being presented with the Navy Cross for his performance while in command of USS Nautilus (SS-168) during the Battle of Midway in June 1942. Photographed during the awards ceremony at the Pearl Harbor submarine base, 7 November 1942. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives. Online Image: 68KB; 555 x 765 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: 80-G-11737 Makin Island Raid, August 1942 Conversation aboard USS Nautilus (SS-168) after her return to Pearl Harbor from Makin Island, 26 August 1942. Those present are (from left to right): Lieutenant Commander William H. Brockman, Jr., Commanding Officer, USS Nautilus; Commander John M. Haines, Commander, Submarine Division 42, and Lieutenant Colonel Evans F. Carlson, USMC, Commander, Second Raider Battalion. Note .45 caliber M1911A1 pistol worn by LtCol. Carlson in a cross-draw holster. Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the U.S. National Archives. Online Image: 76KB; 740 x 610 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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NOTES:
If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions." |
Page made 21 March 1999
Coding updated 5 May 2009