Submarine USS O-13 (SS-74)

Submarine USS O-13 (SS-74) was authorized to be built by the United States Congressional Act of 3 March 1915, which stated in part: "...Two submarines to be of seagoing type to have a surface speed of twenty-five knots or more if possible, but not less than twenty knots, to cost, exclusive of armor and armament, not exceeding $1,500,000 each, and sixteen submarines to cost, exclusive of armor and armament, not exceeding $550,000 each, and the sum of $4,090,000 is hereby appropriated for said purpose to be available until expended.

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"Five of the submarine torpedo boats herein authorized shall be built on the Pacific coast: PROVIDED, That the cost of construction on the Pacific coast does not exceed the cost of construction on the Atlantic coast plus the cost of transportation from the Atlantic to the Pacific..."

The keel of USS O-13 (SS-74) was laid down on 6 March 1916 by the Lake Torpedo Boat Company at Bridgeport, Connecticut. The submarine was christened by Miss Margaret Arletta Adams and launched on 27 December 1917.

Prior to her commissioning, Submarine O-13 rammed and sank "Mary Alice," a section patrol boat accompanying the recently completed submersible during her submerged trials in Long Island Sound on 5 October 1918. The submarine struck and holed the patrol boat amidships. Although "Mary Alice" sank within minutes, the submarine rescued her crew.

Commissioning took place at the New York Navy Yard at Brooklyn, New York, on 27 November 1918 with Lieutenant Commander Earl R. Morrissey in command.

When commissioned, the O-11 Class coastal and harbor defense submarine was 175' in length overall; had an extreme beam of 16'7"; had a normal surface displacement of 491 tons, and, when in that condition, had a mean draft of 13'11". Submerged displacement was 566 tons. The submarine was of riveted construction. The designed compliment was two officers and twenty-seven enlisted men. The boat could operate safely to depths of 200 feet. The submarine was armed with four 18-inch torpedo tubes installed in the bow. Eight torpedoes were carried. One 3-inch/23 caliber deck gun was installed. The gun was stowed below the superstructure deck when not in use. The full load of diesel oil carried was 18,588 gallons, which fueled 1,000 designed brake horsepower diesel engines manufactured by the Busch-Sulzer Brothers Diesel Engine Company at Saint Louis, Missouri, which could drive the boat at fourteen knots on the surface in a relatively calm sea. Submerged propulsion was provided by a 120-cell main storage battery...manufactured by the Electric Storage Battery Company (EXIDE) at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania...which powered 800 designed brake horsepower main propulsion electric motors manufactured by the Diehl Manufacturing Company at Bridgeport, New York...which turned propeller shafts...which turned propellers...which could drive the submarine at 11 knots for a short period of time when operating beneath the surface of the sea. Slower submerged speeds resulted in greater endurances before the batteries needed to be recharged by the engines and generators.

USS O-13 (SS-74) operated along the coast of New Jersey and New York until 8 October 1919...when she arrived at the Philadelphia Navy Yard at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for a five-month overhaul.

Following her overhaul, USS O-13 transited down the Delaware River and the Delaware Bay to Cape May, New Jersey...arriving there on 8 March 1920.

On 1 April 1920, USS O-13 departed Cape May for duty in the Caribbean. Cruising via Key West, Florida, and Havana, Cuba, the submarine, on 30 April 1920, arrived at her new base of Coco Solo in the Panama Canal Zone.

For over three years, USS O-13 operated out of the Submarine Base at Coco Solo...both in the Caribbean and in the Pacific. Cruises sent her to ports in Columbia, Equador, and Peru while assigned to Submarine Division Ten.

On 15 October 1923, USS O-13 commenced a transit to the United States. The submarine arrived at the Philadelphia Navy Yard on 8 November 1923. USS O-13 decommissioned there on 11 June 1924 and was placed in the reserve fleet at that Navy yard.

On 9 May 1930, USS O-13 (SS-74) was struck from the Navy List.

On 30 July 1930, the submarine was sold to a shipbreaker for subsequent scrapping.

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