Submarine USS O-16 (SS-77)

Submarine USS O-16 (SS-77) 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.

. . . . .

"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-16 (SS-77) was laid down on 7 October 1916 by The California Shipbuilding Company at Long Beach, California. The submarine was a Lake type boat. The undersea vessel was christened by Mrs. I. H. Mayfield and launched on 9 February 1918. The submersible was completed at the Mare Island Navy Yard at Vallejo, California.

Commissioning took place on 1 August 1918 with Lieutenant W. M. Quigley 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.

Commissioning during the final months of World War I, USS O-16 (SS-77) had little war-time duty....which terminated when the Armistice of 11 November 1918 went into effect.

Following the end of hostilities, USS O-16 operated out of Cape May, New Jersey. While there, the submarine was dry-docked on 20 September 1919. During the following month, the submersible proceeded up Delaware Bay and the Delaware River to the Philadelphia Navy Yard at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. While there, on 29 December 1919, a dangerous fire in her superstructure was brought under control before it did major damage.

During 1922, USS O-16 was stationed at Coco Solo in the Panama Canal Zone...for diving tests and maneuvers. The submarine cruised in formation with USS O-12 (SS-73), USS O-14 (SS-75), USS O-15 (SS-76), and USS Bushnell (AS-2) to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, on 26 January 1922...and continued maneuvers in and around the Virgin Islands. During April 1922, the submersible returned to Coco Solo...where electricians and engineers put her in prime condition.

During November of 1923, USS O-16 transited to the Philadelphia Navy Yard...where the submarine decommissioned on 21 June 1924 and was turned over to the Commandant, Navy Yard, Philadelphia...who placed the submersible in the reserve fleet at that Navy yard.

On 9 May 1930, USS O-16 (SS-77) was struck from the Navy Register and scrapped in accordance with the London Naval Treaty on 30 July 1930.

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