Submarine USS O-7 (SS-68)

Submarine USS O-7 (SS-68) 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 here-by 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-7 (SS-68) was laid down on 14 February 1917 by the Fore River Shipbuilding Company at Quincy, Massachusetts ... under a subcontract from the Electric Boat Company of New York. The submarine was christened by Mrs. Constance Sears and launched on 16 December 1917. Commissioning took place on Independence Day of 1918 with Lieutenant Commander F. C. Sherman in command.

When commissioned, the O-1 Class coastal and harbor defense submarine was 172'4" in length overall; had an extreme beam of 18'; had a normal surface displacement of 521 tons, and, when in that condition, had a mean draft of 14'5". Submerged displacement was 629 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 21,897 gallons, which fueled 880 designed brake horsepower diesel engines manufactured by the New London Ship and Engine Company at Groton, Connecticut, 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 740 designed brake horsepower main propulsion electric motors manufactured by the Electro Dynamic Company at Bayonne, New Jersey...which turned propeller shafts ... which turned propellers ... which could drive the submarine at 10.5 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.

During the final stages of World War I, USS O-7 (SS-68) operated out of the Philadelphia Navy Yard at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on coastal patrol from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, to Key West, Florida.

On 2 November 1918, USS O-7 departed Newport, Rhode Island, with a twenty-submarine contingent bound for European waters. However, the 11 November 1918 Armistice, which ended the shooting portion of World War I, was signed and went into effect before the submarines of Submarine Division Eight reached the Azores. So, they reversed course and transited back to the United States.

During 1919, USS O-7 reported to the newly established Submarine School at the United States Naval Submarine Base at New London/Groton, Connecticut ... and trained officer and enlisted personnel there in the many complex tasks that had to be learned by submariners. Those services she performed for the next decade.

During 1924, USS O-7 transited to Coco Solo in the Panama Canal Zone for maneuvers, and, while there, was reclassified as a second-line submarine on 25 July 1924. Back at New London/Groton, the submarine reverted to first-line status on 6 June 1928.

During January of 1930, USS O-7 joined her sister submarines in a run to the Portsmouth Navy Yard at Kittery, Maine; thence, transited back to New London/Groton during the following month.

After a visit to our nation's capitol city during July of 1930, USS O-7 resumed her Submarine School duties at the submarine base in Connecticut.

On 23 February 1931, USS O-7 transited to the Philadelphia Navy Yard. On 1 July 1931, the submarine decommissioned there, and was moored with other units of the reserve fleet at that Navy yard.

After a decade in mothballs, USS O-7 was recalled to active duty and recommissioned at the Philadelphia Navy Yard on 12 February 1941.

During May of 1941, USS O-7 transited to New London/Groton, and commenced training submarine students at the Submarine School. The submarine performed that duty until the termination of World War II in Europe ... which occurred during May of 1945.

USS O-7 (SS-68) was decommissioned on 2 July 1945; was struck from the Navy Register on 11 July 1945; and was sold to the North American Smelting Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 22 January 1946 for subsequent scrapping.

---end---