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NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive
Patch contributed by
Don McGrogan, BMCS, USN (ret.)

O-7 (SS-68)

Radio Call Sign: November - Alpha - November - Charlie
O Class Submarine: Laid down, 14 February 1917, at Fore River Shipbuilding Co., Quincy, MA.; Launched, 16 December 1917; Commissioned, USS O-7, 4 July 1918; Designated (SS-68), 17 July 1920; Reclassified a 2nd line submarine 25 July 1924 and to a 1st line submarine, 6 June 1928; Decommissioned, 1 July 1931, at Philadelphia, PA.; Laid up in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet; Recommissioned, 12 February 1941, at Philadelphia; Decommissioned, 2 July 1945; Struck from the Naval Register, 11 July 1945; Final Disposition, sold for scrapping, 22 January 1946, to North American Smelting Co., Philadelphia, PA.
Partial data submitted by Yves Hubert.

Specifications: Displacement, Surfaced: 521 t., Submerged: 629 t.; Length 172' 4"; Beam 18' 0"; Draft 14' 5"; Speed, Surfaced 14 kts, Submerged 10.5 kts; Operational Depth Limit 200 ft; Complement 2 Officers 27 Enlisted; Armament, four 18", torpedo tubes, 8 torpedoes, one 3"/23 deck gun; Propulsion, diesel-electric, New England Ship and Engine Co, diesels, 880 hp, Fuel Capacity, 21,897 gal.; Electro Dynamic Co. electric motors, 740 hp, Battery Cells 120, single propeller.
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For Full Size		Size Image Description Source
O-7 425k Launching of the O-7 (SS-69), 16 December 1917.
Note the boat's mushroom anchor can be clearly seen retracted into the hull in a break in the bilge keel, behind the torpedo tube bow cap and directly under the bow planes. This is a feature not normally seen with the boat in the water. These boats all had a standard fluke-type anchor housed in the superstructure on the starboard bow and this anchor was the one normally used for mooring out. The mushroom anchor could be used for this purpose, but its primary use was to allow the boat to "hover" while submerged. The boat would come to a complete stop, drop the mushroom anchor and then adjust ballast to achieve a slight positive buoyancy, drawing the anchor chain tight. It would then adjust its depth by paying out or heaving in on the anchor chain. This could be a very useful tactic when sitting off an enemy's harbor waiting for ships to come out. 		Text i.d. courtesy of David JohnstonNational Archives Identifier: 45547174
Local Identifier: 165-WW-499A-21.
Photo courtesy of catalog.archives.gov
O-7 122k Starboard side view of the O-7 (SS-68) underway, probably during her trials in 1918. Note the triangular marking on her fairwater. USN photo courtesy of ussubvetsofwwii.org.
Text info courtesy of USNHC photo # NH 44552.
O-7 74k O-7 (SS-68) alongside Savannah (AS-8) with other submarines, circa Autumn 1918. The view looks aft from O-7's foredeck. Note the pattern camouflage painted on Savannah's side. US Naval Historical Center photo # NH 103434. Collection of Christopher H.W. Lloyd. Donated by Virginia Agostini, 1990.
O-7 85k Alongside Savannah (AS-8) at Cape May, New Jersey, circa Autumn 1918. O-7 (SS-68) is partially visible in the left foreground. Note the pattern camouflage painted on Savannah's side. US Naval Historical Center photo # NH 103435. Collection of Christopher H.W. Lloyd. Donated by Virginia Agostini, 1990.
O-7 62k Alongside Savannah (AS-8), circa Autumn 1918. The photograph was taken from on board another O-class submarine. O-7 (SS-68) is in the right center, directly alongside Savannah.Note the pattern camouflage painted on Savannah's side. US Naval Historical Center photo # NH 103436. Collection of Christopher H.W. Lloyd. Donated by Virginia Agostini, 1990.
>O-boats 57k O-boats at the Charleston Navy Yard, South Carolina, circa Christmas 1918. Note holiday greenery displayed on the submarines' superstructures and masts. O-10 (SS-71) is partially visible at the extreme left. O-7 (SS-68) is in the middle of this nest of five submarines. Hartford, the Navy Yard's station ship, is in the background. US Naval Historical Center photo # NH 103437. Collection of Christopher H.W. Lloyd. Donated by Virginia Agostini, 1990.
O-3, 6 & 7 746 O-boats of Submarine Division Eight at the Charleston Navy Yard, South Carolina, circa Christmas 1918. Note holiday greenery displayed on the submarines' superstructures. The three outboard submarines are (from left to right): O-6 (SS-67); O-3 (SS-64); and O-7 (SS-68). The two-stack ship in the left center distance is probably Dubuque (PG-17). Copied from the collection of David J. Lohr, by courtesy of Radioman 1st Class Pamela J. Boyer, USN, 1986. US Naval Historical Center photo # NH 101013.
O-7 81k Controls and air gauges in the O-7's (SS-68) operating compartment, circa 1918-1919. US Naval Historical Center photo # NH 103431. Collection of Christopher H.W. Lloyd. Donated by Virginia Agostini, 1990.
O-7 73k Electrical switchboard on board the O-7 (SS-68), circa 1918-1919. Note that this photograph appears to be either a double-exposure or a somewhat blurred time exposure. US Naval Historical Center photo # NH 103433. Collection of Christopher H.W. Lloyd. Donated by Virginia Agostini, 1990.
O-7 67k Rear view of O-7's (SS-68) 3"/23 retractable deck gun in the raised position, circa 1918-1919. Note the gun's vertical block breech mechanism, round hatch shield, and ready-service ammunition attached to the base of the gun mount. US Naval Historical Center photo # NH 103438. Collection of Christopher H.W. Lloyd. Donated by Virginia Agostini, 1990.
O-7 92k Crew members posed on O-7's (SS-68) after deck, circa 1918-1919. US Naval Historical Center photo # NH 103440. Collection of Christopher H.W. Lloyd. Donated by Virginia Agostini, 1990.
O-7 49k Chief Petty Officer standing by the O-7's (SS-68) fairwater, circa 1918-1919. US Naval Historical Center photo # NH 103442. Collection of Christopher H.W. Lloyd. Donated by Virginia Agostini, 1990.
O-7 61k Gunner's Mate 3rd Class Clautier armed for guard duty on O-7's (SS-68) deck, circa 1918-1919. Note his blue jumper uniform, "flat" hat, holstered M1911 (.45 caliber) pistol, and gunner's mate and torpedo markings on his right sleeve. US Naval Historical Center photo # NH 103449. Collection of Christopher H.W. Lloyd. Donated by Virginia Agostini, 1990.
O-7 61k Sailor "Swede" Hansen washing clothing in a galvanized pail on O-7's (SS-68) deck, circa 1918-1919. US Naval Historical Center photo # NH 103446. Collection of Christopher H.W. Lloyd. Donated by Virginia Agostini, 1990.
O-boats 579k U.S. submarines at Bermuda. Just returned from war zone.
From left to right, 2 unidentified O-boats, O-3 (SS-64), O-5 (SS-66) & O-7 (SS-68).
On 2 November 1918 O-boats 1 / 10 (SS-62 / 71) departed Newport with a 20-sub contingent bound for European waters, however, the Armistice was signed before the ships reached the Azores, and they returned to the United States.		 Text i.d. courtesy of DANFS.
Photo by James W. Anderson, courtesy of Kristina Magill via Gary Priolo.
O-boats 1.04k Late type American submarine, Bermuda. One of the unknown 10 O-boats 1 / 10 (SS-62 / 71) . Photo by James W. Anderson, courtesy of Kristina Magill via Gary Priolo.
O-boats 659k A steel sea monster, amphibious and formidable, is Uncle Sam's newest submarine just home from war duty. The great fin rudders stabilize the boat under water and assist in speedy submerging. They fold up snugly against the sides when the "sub" is under way. Several of these new O-boats are making their initial New York appearance in the Naval Review. Image provided by: Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo from the New-York Tribune (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 27 April 1919, Image 47, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
O-boats 464k U. S. Submarine O-7 (SS-68) Aground)
The submarine O-7 aground on a sandbar 50 yards off Wilson Point, Fishers Island, N.Y. The crew of 26 were taken off by naval... 		Image and text provided by University of Utah, Marriott Library.
Photo from the The Lehi Sun (Lehi, Utah) 1913-1949, 24 March 1921, Image 7, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
O-boats 85k Submarine Division 8,Commander Guy E. Davis commanding. Nine of the Division's ten O-boats at the Boston Navy Yard, Charlestown, Massachusetts, 16 August 1921. Panoramic photograph by Crosby, "Naval Photographer", 11 Portland Street, Boston. Submarines in the front row are (from left to right): O-3 (SS-64), O-6 (SS-67), O-9 (SS-70) and O-1 (SS-62). Those in the second row are (from left to right): O-7 (SS-68), unidentified (either O-2 or O-8), O-5 (SS-66), O-10 (SS-71) and O-4 (SS-65). Large four-stacked ship in the left center distance is the U.S. Army Transport Mount Vernon. USNHC photograph # NH 103193.
O-boats 800k GERMAN MOTHER OF U.S. SUBS
The Saxonia, now Savannah (AS-8), once considered the finest German passenger ship, is now a mother for United States submarines. Here she is off the coast at Provincetown, Mass., with some of her cubs. 		Image and text provided by Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records; Phoenix, AZ.
Photo from the Bisbee Daily Review. (Bisbee, Ariz.) 1901-1971, 21 August 1921, SECOND SECTION, Image 9, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Solo 387k US Submarine base at Coco Solo, Panama 1923.
The R-26 (SS-103) is in the background with the white tarp over her fore deck.
The Submarine Chaser in the background is SC 285.
The O-3 (SS-64) & O-7 (SS-68) are in front of the R-26. The O-9 (SS-70) is next closest to the camera. The two boats in the foreground are the O-5 (SS-66) and a mystery "O" boat.
The O-5 reported to Coco Solo in January of 1923 and she sank 18 October 1923 with the loss of 2 lives. 		Text courtesy of Ric Hedman.
Photo from the private collection of Ric Hedman.
O-boats
0806706		 921k Six O-boats nested alongside a pier, in the Central American or Caribbean area, circa 1923-1924. O-7 (SS-68), O-6 (SS-67), and O-9 (SS-70) are the three outboard submarines. Quail (AM-15) is also alongside the pier, in the right background. USNHC photograph # NH 93672. Courtesy of the Estate of Virginia Cornwell, 1982.
S-69
0806917		484k3 O-boats bows: Broadside view of O-8 (SS-69) with two other unidentified O-boats moored to a buoy in Gatun Lake, Panama, approximately 1925. The famous Gatun Dam can be seen in the background, with the hydroelectric power station building on the right. The dam is the centerpiece of the canal, providing water for the 21 mile long lake as well as for the majority of the rest of the canal. It also provides power to operate the locks as well as for the needs of the surrounding population. Photo i.d. & text courtesy of David Johnston (USN, retired)
USN photo thanks to Jim Kurrasch @ Battleship Iowa, Pacific Battleship Center.
US Fleet Problem Number VI 1.72k Control Force Employment Schedule, 4 January to 1 March 1926. US Fleet Problem Number VI. Photo courtesy of Steve Ireland.
O-7/ O-6 109k O-7 (SS-68) with a partial view of O-6 (SS-67), October 1928. Photo is probably taken when at New London, CT, after she reverted to 1st line sub. USN photo. Partial text courtesy of DANFS.
SS 68 966k O-7 (SS-68) back dropped by the Constitution in Boston harbor, possibly on Navy Day. Photo courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection via Sean Hert & flickr.com.
S-10 67k These O type and S type submarines which were used during the World War have since been decommissioned and are now laid up in the Phila. Navy Yard. The peaceful surroundings are quite a contrast to those of their active war days. They are pictured here on 17 July 1936.
The S-10 (SS-115) was decommissioned on the day this photo was taken at Philadelphia Navy Yard, Philadelphia, PA. and laid up in the Reserve Fleet.
Pictured also are any of the following boats that were at the PNY during this time.
The O boats: O-1 (SS-62), O-2 (SS-63), O-3 (SS-64), O-6 (SS-67), O-7 (SS-68), O-8 (SS-69), O-9 (SS-70), O-10 (SS-71).
The S boats: S-6 (SS-111), S-7 (SS-112), S-8 (SS-113), S-9 (SS-114), S-11 (SS-116), S-12 (SS-117), S-13 (SS-118), S-14 (SS-119), S-15 (SS-120), S-16 (SS-121), S-17 (SS-122) & S-48 (SS-159). 		Photo & text courtesy of A.P. Wire courtesy of philly.com.
Philadelphia Navy Yard 2.49k Philadelphia Navy Yard, 28 October 1940.
The photo presented panorama military shipyards in Philadelphia Navy Yard. Most of the ships are obsolete US destroyers, that were transfer to Great Britain under lend lease.
The submarines are on the left hand side of the photo, and they are: (in no particular order)
The O boats:O-1 (SS-62), O-2 (SS-63), O-3 (SS-64), O-6 (SS-67), O-7 (SS-68), O-8 (SS-69), O-9 (SS-70), O-10 (SS-71).
The R boats: R-1 (SS-78), R-2 (SS-79), R-3 (SS-80), R-5 (SS-82), R-6 (SS-83), R-7 (SS-84), R-8 (SS-85), R-9 (SS-86), R-10 (SS-87), R-12 (SS-89), R-15 (SS-92), R-16 (SS-93), R-17 (SS-94), R-18 (SS-95), R-19 (SS-96) & R-20 (SS-97).
The S boats: S-11 (SS-116), S-12 (SS-117), S-13 (SS-118), S-14 (SS-119), S-15 (SS-120), S-16 (SS-121), S-17 (SS-122) & S-48 (SS-159).
The Olympia (C-6) is shown at the right of the wharf on Broad Street.
The stadium in the upper left, was John F. Kennedy Stadium (formally Philadelphia Municipal Stadium) that stood from 1926 to 1992. It was erected for the 1926 Sesquicentennial. 		Photo i.d. courtesy of Ron Reeves (of blessed memory).
Photo courtesy of flickr.com.
Lower resolution photo. (548k)
205 189k A scene from the 1943 movie Crash Dive, showing an unidentified O-class submarine backing out of a berth at the Naval Submarine Base New London, CT in the late summer of 1942. The boat can not be positively identified, but is one of group of eight O-class submarines that were brought out of mothballs to train submarine crews. This particular boat is either O-2 (SS-63),O-3 (SS-64), O-4 (SS-65), O-7 (SS-68), O-8 (SS-69), or O-10 (SS-71). The submarine in the foreground is the Marlin (SS-205). Photo & text courtesy of David Johnston
Submarine Division 13 21k Commemorative postal cover honoring Submarine Division 13, the O-7 (SS-68) & Marlin (SS-205), 27 October 1943. Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
O-7 742k O-7 (SS-68) possibly on October 1944 in the Atlantic, south of Fishers Island. Photo i.d. courtesy of Ric Hedman.
Photo 80-G-281825 courtesy of NARA via Rob Hanshew and Tracy White @ Researcher @ Large.
O-7 110k O-7 (SS-68) is shown on October 1944 in the Atlantic, south of Fishers Island. Photo & text courtesy of U.S. Submarines Through 1945, An Illustrated Design History by Norman Friedman. Naval Institute Press.
View the O-7 (SS-68)
DANFS history entry located on the Haze Gray & Underway Web Site.
Crew Contact And Reunion Information
Not Applicable to this Vessel
Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
PigBoats.COM TM, a Historic Look at Submarines
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