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NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive
Patch contributed by Mike Smolinski

V-6 (SC-2)
Nautilus (SS-168)
Fitting Out / Commissioning

Radio Call Sign: November - India - Charlie - Xray

Unit Awards, Campaign and Service Medals and Ribbons


Presidential Unit Citation
To Additional Pages

Keel Laying - Launching
Pre War Service / 1931 - 1941
WW II Service

Narwhal Class Submarine: Laid down, 10 May 1927, at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA.; Launched, 15 March 1930; Commissioned Cruiser Submarine USS V-6 (SC-2), 1 July 1930; Renamed Nautilus, 19 February 1931; Re-designated (SS-168), 1 July 1931; Decommissioned, 30 June 1945; Struck from the Naval Register, 25 July 1945; Final Disposition, sold for scrapping, 16 November 1945, North American Smelting Co., Philadelphia, PA. Nautilus earned the Presidential Unit Citation and 14 battle stars for her service during World War II.

Specifications: Displacement, Surfaced: 2,730 t., Submerged: 3,960 t.; Length 371' ; Beam 33' 3"; Draft 15' 9"; Speed, Surfaced 17 kts, Submerged 8 kts; Depth Limit 300'; Complement 8 officers 80 enlisted; Armament, four 21" torpedo tubes forward, two 21" torpedo tubes aft, four 21" torpedo tubes topside, 24 torpedoes; two single 6"/53 deck gun, two 30 cal. mgs.; Propulsion, diesel electric, Maschinfabrik - Augusburg- Nurnburg, New York Navy Yard diesel engines, hp 3175, Fuel Capacity, 182,778 gal., Westinghouse Electric Co., electric motors, hp 2500, Battery Cells 240, twin propellers.
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For Full Size Image		Size Image Description Source
SS-168 180k View on deck of the V-6 (SC-2) looking forward from the bridge. Taken while she was fitting out at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 12 April 1930. Note that her forward 6"/53 deck gun has not yet been fitted. V-4 (SM-1) and barge YR-5 are in the background. Courtesy of the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, 1970.U.S. National Archives # 70676.
SS 168 1.9m Commissioning ceremonies aboard the Nautilus (SS-168) at Mare Island on 1 July 1930. US Navy photo # 611-7-30 courtesy of the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum and submitted by Darryl Baker.
SS 168 21k Commemorative postal cover marking the V-6's (SC-2), commissioning, 1 July 1930. Curtesy of Jack Treutle.
Nautilus 307kThe U.S. flag forward flutters from V-6 (N-2) fitting out, now as a commissioned warship at Mare Island on 12 July 1930.Mare Island photo # 626-30 via NH 70681 courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com. Photo added 07/29/10.
SS 168 127k V-6 (SC-2), along with S-22 (SS-127) left and the Aaron Ward (DD-132) behind V-6 are seen in dry dock 2 at Mare Island Navy Yard in July 1930. Shipyard records indicate V-6 was in overhaul from July 1 to 15 Oct. 1930; S-22 in overhaul from 6 April to 29 July 1930; and Aaron Ward in overhaul from 31 May to 8 Aug 1930. US Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
SS 168125kV-6 (SC-2) is departing Mare Island Navy Yard in October 1930. The Chicago (CA-29) is seen in the distance. US Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
Nautilus 410kBow view of V-6 (SC-2) outside of dry dock #2 at Mare Island on 7 October 1930. The Chicago (CA-29) is at her outfitting berth to the right. US Navy photo from the collections of the Vallejo Naval & Historic Museum & submitted by Darryl Baker.
Nautilus 213kStern view of V-6 (SC-2) leaving dry dock #2 at Mare Island on 7 October 1930. US Navy photo from the collections of the Vallejo Naval & Historic Museum & submitted by Darryl Baker.
Nautilus 215kThe V-6 (SC-2) nears her berth at Mare Island on 7 October 1930. I believe the ship forward of her is Arctic (AF-7).US Navy photo # 861-30, from the collections of the Vallejo Naval & Historic Museum & submitted by Darryl Baker.
Nautilus 352kThe bow of the V-6 (SC-2) taken from the bridge looking forward on 7 October 1930. US Navy photo from the collections of the Vallejo Naval & Historic Museum & submitted by Darryl Baker.
Nautilus 352kThe V-6 (SC-2) returns from trim dive in San Francisco Bay on 8 October 1930. The tug Tillamook (AT-16) is on her port side.US Navy photo from the collections of the Vallejo Naval & Historic Museum & submitted by Darryl Baker.
Nautilus 148kBow view of V-6 (SC-2) departing Mare Island on 8 October 1930. US Navy photo from the collections of the Vallejo Naval & Historic Museum & submitted by Darryl Baker.
Nautilus 295kBow view of V-6 (SC-2) in San Pablo Bay west of Mare Island on 8 October 1930. US Navy photo from the collections of the Vallejo Naval & Historic Museum & submitted by Darryl Baker.
Nautilus 172k Decks are awash as V-6 (SC-2) starts a trim dive in San Pablo Bay in San Pablo Bay on 8 October 1930. US Navy photo from the collections of the Vallejo Naval & Historic Museum & submitted by Darryl Baker.
Nautilus 102k Only top of fair water is visible as V-6 (SC-2) starts a trim dive in San Pablo Bay on 8 October 1930. US Navy photo from the collections of the Vallejo Naval & Historic Museum & submitted by Darryl Baker.
Nautilus 104kAt periscope depth on a trim dive of V-6 (SC-2) in San Pablo Bay on 8 October 1930. US Navy photo from the collections of the Vallejo Naval & Historic Museum & submitted by Darryl Baker.
SS 168 275k V-6 (SC-2), is seen off Mare Island Navy Yard circa 1930. The city of Vallejo, Calif. is in the background.
 US Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
View the V-6 (SC-2) / Nautilus (SS-168)
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
Ep-21 (1) - Victory At Sea ~ Full Fathom Five - HQ
Through the Looking Glass, A Historic Look at Submarines.
Carlson's Raiders
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