USS USS S-39 SS 144

USS S-39 SS 144 S-1 Class

August 16, 1942. Ran aground. No loss of life.

From: Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships

S-39
(SS-144: dp. 854 (surf.), 1,062 (subm.); 1. 219'3"; b. 20'8"; dr. 15'11" (mean); s. 14.5 k. (surf.), 11 k. (subm.); cpl. 42; a. 1 4", 4 21" tt; cl. S-1)

on August 10, 1942, S-39 departed Townsville harbor at Australia on her fifth and final war patrol off the southeast coast of New Ireland. On the night of August 13-14, she grounded on submerged rocks off Rossel Island and took on a 30 degree list to port. Heavy seas pounded her and pushed her farther up on the rocks. By the 15th, the list had increased to 60 degrees. The entire crew was evacuated ashore. The HMAS Katoomba from Australia arrived and by 16th had taken the entire crew of S-39 on board. S-39 was left on the rocks to continue breaking up. Her crew members were taken to Townsville and later reassigned to other submarines.

S-39 earned two battle stars for her World War II service. She is credited with sinking the 6,500-ton Japanese tanker Erimo during her third war patrol.