Please report any broken links or trouble you might come across to the Webmaster.
Please take a moment to let us know so that we can correct any problems and make your visit as enjoyable and as informative as possible.


NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive

S-14 (SS-119)

Radio Call Sign: November - India - Mike - Zulu

S-4 Class Submarine (Government-type): Laid down, 7 December 1917, at Lake Torpedo Boat Co., Bridgeport, CT.; Launched, 22 October 1919; Commissioned, USS S-14 (SS-119), 11 February 1921; Decommissioned, 22 May 1935, at Philadelphia Navy Yard, Philadelphia, PA.; Laid up in the Reserve Fleet; Recommissioned, 10 December 1940; Decommissioned, and struck from the Naval Register, 18 May 1945, at Philadelphia Navy Yard, Philadelphia, PA.; Final Disposition, sold for scrapping, 16 November 1945, to Northern Metals Co., Philadelphia, PA.
Partial data submitted by Yves Hubert.

Specifications: Displacement, Surfaced: 876 t., Submerged: 1092 t..; Length 231'; Beam 21' 10"; Draft 13' 1"; Speed, surfaced 15 kts, submerged 11 kts; Depth Limit 200'; Complement 4 Officers, 34 Enlisted; Armament, five 21" torpedo tubes, 14 torpedoes, one 4"/50 deck gun; Propulsion, diesel electric engines, Maschinfabrik - Augsburg - Nurnburg, New York Navy Yard diesel engines, 2,000 hp, Fuel Capacity, 36,950 gal.; Westinghouse Electric Co., electric motors, 1,200 hp, Battery Cells, 120, twin propellers.
Click On Image
For Full Size
Size Image Description Source
S-14
0811927
2.71k Sponsor Mrs. George T. Parker christening the submarine S-14 (SS-119) at the Lake Torpedo Boat Company, Bridgeport, Connecticut, 23 October 1919. S-14 was in commission from 1921 to 1945. Image NH 108384 and text courtesy of history.navy.mil
S-14 NR United States Submarine S-14 (SS-119), recently launched at Bridgeport, photographed before she left the ways. The sponsor was Mrs. George T. Parker, wife of the president of the Federal Underwriters of Washington, D.C.
Lieutenant Commander Charles A. Lockwood, Jr., in command. More would be heard of him later.
Image and text provided by LOC, Washington D.C.
Photo from The New York Tribune (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 9 November 1919, Image 51, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
SS 119
0811926
NR Americas Most Formidable Submarine
This is the largest submarine ever built in the United States. It is 240 feet long, has a cruising radius of 10,000 miles, can develop 12.000 horse power, and carries 16 torpedoes of the most destructive type. Her double hull allows her to carry large quantities of fuel oil. She is also equipped with deck guns, and is supposed to be as dangerous to aircraft as to water craft. The U. S. is evidently taking all necessary precautions.
Image and text provided by Central Michigan University, Clark Historical Library.
Photo from Dearborn Independent. [volume] (Dearborn, Mich.) 1901-1927, 29 November 1919, Image 9, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
S-14 109k Starboard bow view of the S-14 (SS-119) at Lake Torpedo Boat Co., Bridgeport, CT., on 3 January 1921. USN photo # 19-N-6475, from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), courtesy of Daniel Dunham.
S-23 374k Aerial oblique view of S-14 (SS-119) on July 1921. USN photo # 80-G-466174, from National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), College Park, Maryland, courtesy of Sean Hert.
S Boats 62k S boats at the Cavite Navy Yard, Philippines, in 1923-1924. These submarines are (from left to right): S-17 (SS-122):
S-4 (SS-109):
S-15 (SS-120); and
S-14 (SS-119).
USNHC photograph # NH 90306. Courtesy of Captain A.L. Prosser, USN (Retired), 1979.
S-14 & 16 70k S-14 (SS-119), alongside Beaver (AS-5) at the Panama Canal Zone, circa the 1920s. S-16 (SS-121) is inboard of S-14. Courtesy of the USS Nautilus Museum, Groton, Connecticut, 1991. USNHC photograph # NH 99184.
S-14 145k A view of the control room looking aft on the S-14 (SS-119), date unknown. USN photo # 8342, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
S-14 187k A view of the engine room looking aft on the S-14 (SS-119), date unknown. USN photo # 8347, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
S-boats 589k The Rainbow (AS-7) while serving as flagship of Submarine Flotilla 3 (later Submarine Division) of the Asiatic Fleet. She is shown tending boats of Submarine Division 12 in either Hawaiian or Philippine waters in the 1921-1924 time range. Alongside are the S-14 (SS-119), S-15 (SS-120), and S-16 (SS-121). Photo & text i.d. courtesy of David Johnston (USN, retired)
USN photo thanks to Jim Kurrasch @ Battleship Iowa, Pacific Battleship Center.
S-14 920k Torpedo Room of the S-14 (SS-119) looking forward, taken at Mare Island, probably in 1925 and 1926 when she operated along the west coast through 1927. USN photo # 8337, courtesy of Darrly Baker.
S-14 749k Torpedo Room of the S-14 (SS-119) looking aft, taken at Mare Island, probably in 1925 and 1926 when she operated along the west coast through 1927. USN photo # 8338, courtesy of Darrly Baker.
S-14 & 17 159k Starboard side view of S-14 (SS-119) left and S-17 (SS-122) right at Mare Island Navy Yard on 23 September 1927. USN photo courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
S-14 590k S-14 (SS-119) & S-17 (SS-122) at Mare Island, California, 23 Septrmber 1927. USN photo # NH 69843 courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
S-14 & 17 152k S-14 (SS-119) & S-17 (SS-122) moored together 23 September 1927 at Mare Island, California. USN photo # 19-N-11553, from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), courtesy of Daniel Dunham.
S-14 134k Portside view of the bridge of the S-14 (SS-119), 23 September 1927 at Mare Island, California. USN photo # 19-N-11541, from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), courtesy of Daniel Dunham.
S-14 134k Portside view of the bridge of the S-14 (SS-119), and deck gun, 23 September 1927 at Mare Island, California. USN photo # 19-N-8252, from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), courtesy of Daniel Dunham.
S-14 119k Port bow view of the S-14 (SS-119) entering Dry Dock #1 at Mare Island, California, 13 January 1928. USN photo # 19-N-11539, from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), courtesy of Daniel Dunham.
S-14 & 17 144k Portside bow view of the S-14 (SS-119) in Dry Dock #1 at Mare Island, California, 13 January 1928. The destroyer Zeilin (DD-313) is outboard of the S-14 and to the left of S-17 (SS-122). The three ships entered dry dock #1 at Mare Island on 15 December 1927 and were undocked on 13 January 1928. YD-33 (150 tons) is in the background. Dates from yard docking records and official logs. USN photo # 19-N-11544, from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), courtesy of Daniel Dunham.
S-14 92k Bow quarter of the S-14 (SS-119) at Dry Dock # 2 at Mare Island, California, 19 January 1928. USN photo # 19-N-11536, from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), courtesy of Daniel Dunham.
S-14 101k Portside view of the S-14 (SS-119) at Dry Dock # 2, inclining test, at Mare Island, California, 19 January 1928. Note the wooden braces across her deck to stimulate pressure for the test. USN photo # 19-N-11537, from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), courtesy of Daniel Dunham.
S-14 116k Portside view of the S-14 (SS-119) at Dry Dock # 2, inclining test, at Mare Island, California, 19 January 1928. Note the wooden braces across her deck to stimulate pressure for the test. USN photo # 19-N-11538, from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), courtesy of Daniel Dunham.
S-14 99k The Bridge of S-14 (SS-119) with its insignia of two porpoises, at Mare Island, California, 20 January 1928. USN photo # 19-N-11545, from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), courtesy of Daniel Dunham.
S-14 990k 4 photo PDF of the S-14 (SS-119) departing Mare Island, California, for the Panama Canal area, 21 January 1928. USN photo # 19-N-11526, from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), courtesy of Daniel Dunham.
S-14 22k Commemorative postal cover marking S-14's (SS-119) last day in commission, 22 May 1935, at Philadelphia Navy Yard, Philadelphia, PA. Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
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)
Who Am I 878k Submarine maneuvers for pilot instruction. Submarine crusing, 24 July 1942.
This boat is a Government design S-boat. She is too long forward of the fairwater to be an EB design and the fairwater matches that of the Government boats. It could be any boat between S-11 (SS-116) and S-17 (SS-122) (those were the Government boats that served through WWII). It is not the S-48 (SS-159) as she had been extensively modified and did not look like this boat.
Photo & text i.d. courtesy of David Johnston (USN, retired)
USN photo # 80-G-1626 from National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), College Park, Maryland, courtesy of Sean Hert.
S-14 46k S-14's (SS-119) crew trying to make an impression on the ice covered deck gun at New London, CT, 22 February 1943. Courtesy of John Mitchell.
S-14 550k S-14 (SS-119) all covered with snow at New London, CT, 22 February 1943. The Threadfin's (SS-410) crew trained on her before going to war. The craft's officers said the ice load caused a starboard list and a 20-inch increase in draft. Photo courtesy of James P. Marion, III.
Image and text provided by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Library, Chapel Hill, NC.
Photo & text by The Wilmington Morning Star. (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 09 March 1943, FINAL EDITION, Image 1, courtesy of chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
S-14439kUS Submarine Base, New London, CT. Ensign J.S.Cockrell of Washington, D.C. (left) and Ensign M.L. Squire of Evanston, Ill., standing on the deck of their submarine S-14 (SS-119) on 22 February 1943 after a cruise through Atlantic waters during the cold wave. The submarine's deck gun behind the officers is a mass of ice. Photo i.d. courtesy of David Johnston (USN, retired)
USN photo courtesy of Bill Gonyo.
Rusty Oldies1.00kThe S-14 (SS-119) operated out of New London from September 1943 into March 1945, with operations at Casco Bay, Maine.
She appears here on 17 October 1943.
Text courtesy of DANFS.
US National Archives photo # 80g 450213, from NARA, College Park, Maryland, courtesy of Sean Hert.
Rusty Oldies958kHats off to S-14 (SS-119) from one crew member on 17 October 1943. US National Archives photo # 80g 450214, from NARA, College Park, Maryland, courtesy of Sean Hert.
Rusty Oldies958kBroadside view of an old broad: S-14 (SS-119) on 17 October 1943. US National Archives photo # 80g 450215, from NARA, College Park, Maryland, courtesy of Sean Hert.
Rusty Oldies294k1. R-15 (SS-92) is present.
2. S-14 (SS-119) is present.
3. There is a third Government design S-boat at the top of the photo, one that has a stern torpedo tube. The boat is riding a little high, and the tube can just be seen, right at the waterline.
4. The fleet boat is a EB design Mod 3 Gato.
Here is what can be reasonably inferred from the facts:
1. The photo was taken during WWII.
2. The photo was probably taken in New London. R-15 and S-14 operated exclusively in the Atlantic during the war, as did all of the Government design S-boats.
3. Assuming New London for a location, R-15 and S-14 were both there starting in April 1944.
4. Using April 1944 for a rough date, that narrows the choices of fleet boats considerably. It would have to be a late construction EB Gato. Only Cavalla (SS-244), Cobia (SS-245), and Croaker (SS-246), all built at the Victory Yard downstream would have been present in April 44. Croaker was actually the last Gato built by EB. All the other EB ways were already cranking out Balaos at this time. In fact, the first three EB Balaos had already been commissioned by this date.
5.S-48 (SS-159) was one of the eight Government design S-boats with a stern torpedo tube. Of the eight, only S-11 (SS-116) to 13 (SS-118), and S-48 were still in existence, the others had all been scrapped prior to the war. S-11, 12, and 13 operated exclusively in the Caribbean at this time.
So, to sum up: the photo was taken approximately April 1944 in New London, the fleet boat could be Cavalla, Cobia, or Croaker (and I would lean heavily to Croaker), and the S-boat at the top is probably S-48.
Photo i.d. courtesy of David Johnston, Ric Hedman, John Hummel & Robert Morgan.
Text courtesy of David Johnston
USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.

View the S-14 (SS-119)
DANFS history entry located on the Haze Gray & Underway Web Site.
Crew Contact And Reunion Information
U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation
Fleet Reserve Association

Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
PigBoats.COM TM A Historic Look at Submarines

Back To The Main Photo Index Back To the Submarine Index
Problems and site related matters, E-mail Webmaster
This page is created by Gary Priolo and maintained by Michael Mohl
All Pages © 1996 - 2024 NavSource History