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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
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WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Photo # NH 51827:  USS S-36 at San Francisco, California, 29 March 1923

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

USS S-36 (SS-141), 1923-1942

USS S-36, a 1062-ton S-1 class submarine, was built at San Francisco, California. She was commissioned in April 1923 and during that year and much of the next she operated along the U.S. west coast, in Alaskan waters and in the Caribbean. Later in 1924, S-36 crossed the Pacific to join the Asiatic Fleet, her assignment for the rest of her career. Her routine until 1940 generally featured summer service out of Tsingtao, China, and winters in the vicinity of the Philippines. In 1938, she cruised in the Netherlands East Indies.

Japan began the Pacific War on 8 December 1941, while S-36 was already conducting defensive activities in Philippine waters. Despite suffering from the serious mechanical and electrical problems that continuously plagued the old "S" boats, she remained on patrol until mid-December. Her second war patrol began late in the year, taking her into the southern Philippines and then toward the East Indies. S-36 attacked an enemy ship at Mindoro on 1 January, but apparently missed, and endured a terrible passage through the Sulu Sea that included a prolonged encounter with a Japanese destroyer on the 15th and 16th, while her own powerplant and other systems were in a continuously failing state. Continuing on into the Makassar Strait with unreliable charts, on 20 January 1942 she ran aground. After a day's struggle could not break her loose, S-36 was abandoned in sinking condition.

This page features all the views we have concerning USS S-36 (SS-141).


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 51827

USS S-36 (SS-141)


At the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation's Union Plant, Potrero Works, San Francisco, California, on 29 March 1923. She was commissioned about a week later, on 4 April.
Note recessed stowage of her anchor and diving plane, in the hull side just aft of the bow.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 86KB; 740 x 610 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 104940

USS Canopus
(AS-9)

In Apra Harbor, Guam, 29 October 1924, with all six members of Submarine Division 17 alongside.
The division consisted of:
USS S-36 (SS-141);
USS S-37 (SS-142);
USS S-38 (SS-143);
USS S-39 (SS-144);
USS S-40 (SS-145); and
USS S-41 (SS-146).

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 76KB; 740 x 625 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 55048

USS Canopus
(AS-9)

In Apra Harbor, Guam, with Submarine Division 17 alongside, 29 October 1924.
Submarine Division 17's members were:
USS S-36 (SS-141);
USS S-37 (SS-142);
USS S-38 (SS-143);
USS S-39 (SS-144);
USS S-40 (SS-145); and
USS S-41 (SS-146).

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 85KB; 740 x 600 pixels

 
Photo #: 80-G-1014615

USS Canopus (AS-9)


With the Asiatic Fleet's Submarine Squadron Five alongside, during the 1930s.
The submarines present include (from left to right): S-37 (SS-142); S-40 (SS-145); S-36 (SS-141); S-38 (SS-143); S-41 (SS-146); S-39 (SS-144).

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

Online Image: 80KB; 740 x 605 pixels

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

 
Photo #: NH 59968

Submarine Division Seventeen (SubDiv 17)


Boats of SubDiv 17, Asiatic Fleet, moored alongside USS Canopus (AS-9) at Tsingtao, China, circa 1930.
Identifiable submarines present include S-36 (SS-141), S-39 (SS-144), S-37 (SS-142) and S-41 (SS-146).
Note Sailors relaxing on deck, Chinese men on board the submarines, and 4"/50 deck guns.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 90KB; 740 x 455 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 51832

Submarine Division Seventeen (SubDiv 17)


Boats of SubDiv 17, Asiatic Fleet, moored alongside USS Canopus (AS-9) at Tsingtao, China, circa 1930.
Identifiable submarines present include S-39 (SS-144), S-37 (SS-142) and S-41 (SS-146). The boat closest to the camera is probably S-36 (SS-141).
Note Sailors on deck in various states of relaxation, several Chinese men on board the submarines, SubDiv 17 insignia painted on conning towers, and 4"/50 deck guns.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 83KB; 740 x 545 pixels

 


In addition to the images presented above, the National Archives appears to hold at least one other view of USS S-36 (SS-141). The following list features this image:

The image listed below is NOT in the Naval Historical Center's collections.
DO NOT try to obtain it using the procedures described in our page "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions".



  • Photo #: 80-G-1006339
    Starboard broadside view of USS S-36 (SS-141) taken while she was alongside USS Canopus (AS-9) at Olongapo, Philippines, on 9 March 1932. Three other "S" type submarines are moored inboard of S-36.
    The original photo caption reads: "Airing bedding on Submarine Division 10".

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

    The image listed in this box is NOT in the Naval Historical Center's collections. DO NOT try to obtain it using the procedures described in our page "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions".


  • If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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    Page made 24 May 2002
    New images added 28 August 2007