Submarine USS O-8 (SS-69)

Submarine USS O-8 (SS-69) 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-8 (SS-69) was laid down on 27 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. Alice C. Burg and launched on 31 December 1917.

Commissioning took place on 11 July 1918 with Lieutenant Commander R. A. Burg 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-8 (SS-69) operated out of the Philadelphia Navy Yard at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on coastal patrol duty from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, to Key West, Florida.

USS O-8 departed Newport, Rhode Island, on 2 November 1918, with other submarines ordered to duty in European waters. The transit to Europe was cancelled, however, as the 11 November 1918 Armistice, which ended the shooting phase of World War I, was signed and went into effect before the submarines of Submarine Division Eight reached the Azores. So, the submarines reversed course and transited back to the United States.

The end of the "war to end all wars" did not terminate the naval career of USS O-8. The submarine now operated in a training capacity at the Submarine School at the United States Naval Submarine Base at New London/Groton, Connecticut.

During 1924, USS O-8 pulled a short tour of duty in the Panama Canal Zone ... basing at Coco Solo. While there, on 25 July 1924, the submarine was classified as a second-line submarine.

Back at New London/Groton, on 6 June 1928, USS O-8 reverted back to first-line submarine status.

During February of 1931, USS O-8 transited to the Philadelphia Navy Yard, decommissioned there on 27 May 1931, and was placed in the reserve fleet at that Navy yard.

The imminence of World War II sparked the recall to active service. USS O-8 recommissioned at the Philadelphia Navy Yard on 28 April 1941. During June of 1941, the submarine transited to the Connecticut submarine base and commenced duties as a "school boat" for the Submarine School at New London/Groton. She performed those duties until the end of World War II in Europe...which occurred in May of 1945.

Departing New London/Groton on 25 August 1945, USS O-8 transited to the Portsmouth Navy Yard at Kittery, Maine. There, she decommissioned on 11 September 1945; was struck from the Navy Register on 11 October 1945; and was sold to John J. Duane Company of Quincy, Massachusetts, on 4 September 1946, for subsequent scrapping.

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