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

V-7 (SF-10 / SC-3)
Dolphin (SS-169)
Keel Laying - Fitting Out

Radio Call Sign: November - India - Charlie - Zulu
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Active Service

Dolphin Class Submarine: Authorized as V-7 (SF-10), redesignated (SC-3), Laid down, as V-7 (SC-3),14 June 1930, at Portsmouth Navy Yard, Kittery, ME.; Launched, 6 March 1932; Commissioned USS Dolphin (SS-169), 1 July 1932; Decommissioned, 12 October 1945, at Portsmouth Navy Yard, NH; Struck from the Naval Register, 24 October 1945; Final Disposition, sold for scrapping, 26 August 1946. Dolphin earned 2 battle stars for her service during World War II.

Specifications: Displacement, Surfaced: 1,560 t., Submerged: 2,215 t.; Length 319' 1" ; Beam 27' 11"; Draft 13' 1"; Speed, surfaced 17 kts, submerged 8 kts; Depth Limit 250'; Complement 5 officers 52 enlisted; Armament, four 21" torpedo tubes forward, two 21" torpedo tubes aft, 18 torpedoes; one 4"/50 deck gun, four 30 cal. mgs.; Propulsion, diesel electric, Maschinfabrik - Augusburg- Nurnburg, New York Navy Yard diesel engines, hp 3500, Fuel Capacity, 103,018 gal., Electro Dynamic Electric Motor Co., electric motors, hp 1750, Battery Cells 240, twin propellers.
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For Full Size Image		Size Image Description Source
SS-169 54k Driving of first rivet in laying of keel of submarine V-7 (SC-3), later renamed Dolphin (SS-169) at the Portsmouth (New Hampshire) Naval Shipyard, 14 June 1930. U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Milne Collection at the Univerity of New Hampshire.
SS 169 153k Dolphin's (SS-169) crew line the deck, possibly during her commissioning on 1 July 1932.
US Navy photo courtesy of Megan Edwards.
SS 169 70k Most probably a Division photo of Dolphin's (SS-169) Machinist Mates.
US Navy photo courtesy of Megan Edwards. Photo i.d. & text courtesy of Ric Hedman & Col. John Hart.
SS 169 392k Looking down from the Dolphin's (SS-169) fairwater at Portsmouth Navy Yard before entering the Dry Dock, 30 Sept. 1932.
 US Navy photo courtesy of Ed Zajkowski. Photo added 02/27/09.
SS 169 265k Port side view showing open torpedo tubes and diving planes housed while in Dry Dock in Portsmouth Navy Yard, 30 Sept. 1932.
 US Navy photo courtesy of Ed Zajkowski. Photo added 02/27/09.
SS 169 313k Bow view while in Dry Dock at Portsmouth Navy Yard, 30 Sept. 1932.
Dolphin (SS-169) sailed from Portsmouth 24 October 1932 for San Diego arriving 3 December to report to Submarine Division 12. She served on the west coast, taking part in tactical exercises and test torpedo firings until 4 March 1933 when she got underway for the east coast. 		Partial text courtesy of DANFS. US Navy photo courtesy of Ed Zajkowski. Neg # 269/32. Photo added 02/27/09.
SS 169 295k Quarter view showing rigging while in Dry Dock at Portsmouth Navy Yard, 30 Sept. 1932.
 US Navy photo courtesy of Ed Zajkowski. Photo added 02/27/09.
SS 169 301k Stern view showing her two torpedo tubes while in Dry Dock at Portsmouth Navy Yard, 30 Sept. 1932.
 US Navy photo courtesy of Ed Zajkowski. Neg # 277/32. Photo added 02/27/09.
SS 169 361k Close up of the starboard side from floor of Dry Dock showing docking keel blocks at Portsmouth Navy Yard, 30 Sept. 1932.
 US Navy photo courtesy of Ed Zajkowski. Neg # 279/32. Photo added 02/27/09.
SS-169 82k Dolphin (SS-169) underway, circa 1932. NH # 54542, courtesy of U.S. Naval Historical Center.
SS 169 178k Bridge looking forward, Portsmouth Navy Yard, 4 July 1933.
 US Navy photo courtesy of Ed Zajkowski. Neg # 187/33. Photo added 02/27/09.
SS 169 240k Bridge (inclosed)looking forward, Portsmouth Navy Yard, 4 July 1933.
 US Navy photo courtesy of Ed Zajkowski. Neg # 188/33. Photo added 02/27/09.
SS 169 342k Conning tower, fairwater & bell of the Dolphin (SS-169) on 5 July 1933. She arrived at Portsmouth Navy Yard 23 March for final trials and acceptance, remaining there until 1 August.
Partial text courtesy of DANFS. US Navy photo courtesy of Ed Zajkowski. Photo added 02/27/09.
SS 169 304k View looking aft, Portsmouth Navy Yard, 5 July 1933.
 US Navy photo courtesy of Ed Zajkowski. Neg # 178/33. Photo added 02/27/09.
View the Dolphin (SS-169)
DANFS history entry located on the Haze Gray & Underway
Crew Contact And Reunion Information
U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation
Fleet Reserve Association
Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
USS Dolphin, Report of Pearl Harbor Attack
Through the Looking Glass, A Historic Look at Submarines.
Back To The Main Photo Index Back To the Submarine Index

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