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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Photo # 80-G-456140:  USS Shark plows through the waves, circa the later 1930s

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

USS Shark (SS-174), 1936-1942

USS Shark was lead ship of a class of two 1316-ton submarines, and the Navy's first submarine to feature all-welded construction. Built at Groton, Connecticut, she was commissioned in January 1936 and performed her initial service in the North Atlantic and Caribbean areas. During the first part of 1937 Shark transferred to the Pacific, with her new base located at San Diego, California. After nearly two years there, during which she participated in exercises and training, in December 1938 the submarine was sent to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and two years later went on to Manila, the capital of the Philippines.

Soon after war began with Japan in December 1941 Shark patrolled briefly to the south of Luzon, then returned to Manila where in late December she embarked Asiatic Fleet commander Admiral Thomas C. Hart and transported him to Surabaya, Java. She began her second war patrol in early January, assigned to take part in the defense of the Dutch East Indies. On 2 February 1942 Shark made a fruitless torpedo attack and escaped a depth charging, and on 5 February made another radio report. Nothing more was heard from her and she was ultimately given up as lost, with her entire crew of nearly sixty officers and men. Postwar Japanese records provided no solid information on her fate, though it is possible that she was sunk by depth charges off Menado, Celebes, on 11 February.

This page features all the views we have related to USS Shark (SS-174).


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-456140

USS Shark (SS-174)


Plows through the waves, circa the later 1930s.

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

Online Image: 88KB; 740 x 610 pixels

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

 
Photo #: NH 3036

Submarines alongside USS Holland (AS-3)
, circa 1936-1939

These "boats" are, from left to right:
USS Nautilus (SS-168);
USS Narwhal (SS-167);
USS Shark (SS-174), marked "P3";
USS Dolphin (SS-169), marked "D1";
USS Porpoise (SS-172), marked "P1";
USS Pike (SS-173), marked "P2"; and
USS Tarpon (SS-175), marked "P4".

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 119KB; 740 x 500 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 3037

USS Holland (AS-3)


With seven submarines alongside, circa 1936-1939. These "boats" are, from left to right:
USS Nautilus (SS-168);
USS Narwhal (SS-167);
USS Shark (SS-174), marked "P3";
USS Dolphin (SS-169), marked "D1";
USS Porpoise (SS-172), marked "P1";
USS Pike (SS-173), marked "P2"; and
USS Tarpon (SS-175), marked "P4".

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 82KB; 740 x 510 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 3038

USS Holland (AS-3)


With seven submarines alongside, circa 1936-1939. These "boats" are, from left to right:
USS Nautilus (SS-168);
USS Narwhal (SS-167);
USS Shark (SS-174), marked "P3";
USS Dolphin (SS-169), marked "D1";
USS Porpoise (SS-172), marked "P1";
USS Pike (SS-173), marked "P2"; and
USS Tarpon (SS-175), marked "P4".

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 90KB; 740 x 485 pixels

 
Photo #: NH 3039

USS Holland (AS-3)


With seven submarines alongside, circa 1936-1939. These "boats" are, from left to right:
USS Nautilus (SS-168);
USS Narwhal (SS-167);
USS Shark (SS-174), marked "P3";
USS Dolphin (SS-169), marked "D1";
USS Porpoise (SS-172), marked "P1";
USS Pike (SS-173), marked "P2"; and
USS Tarpon (SS-175), marked "P4".

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 96KB; 740 x 520 pixels

 
Photo #: 19-N-16690

USS Shark (SS-174)


Nearly ready for launching, at the the Electric Boat Company shipyard, Groton, Connecticut, 20 May 1935. She was launched on the following day.

Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives.

Online Image: 112KB; 600 x 765 pixels

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

 
Photo #: NH 42075

USS Shark (SS-174)


Immediately after launching by the Electric Boat Company, Groton, Connecticut, 21 May 1935.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 89KB; 740 x 615 pixels

 
Photo #: 19-N-16680

USS Shark (SS-174)


Official model, photographed circa 1938 by her builder, the Electric Boat Company, Groton, Connecticut.

Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives.

Online Image: 65KB; 740 x 595 pixels

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

 


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


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Page made 30 March 2003