United States Navy submarine bases

Last updated

Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay in Camden County, Georgia in April 2001 Kingsbay.jpg
Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay in Camden County, Georgia in April 2001
Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut, looking north in a 1968 aerial view US Naval Submarine Base New London aerial photo c1968.jpg
Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut, looking north in a 1968 aerial view
Plaque stating New Suffolk, New York's claim to be the first submarine base. New Suffolk Sub Memorial.JPG
Plaque stating New Suffolk, New York's claim to be the first submarine base.

The United States Navy built permanent and temporary submarine bases around the world to maintain its fleet of submarines and serve the needs of the crews. Submarine bases are military bases that offer good fleet anchorage and are designed to refuel and resupply submarines. The peak number of US submarine bases was during World War II, as the submarine was well suited for fighting in the vast Pacific War, often in enemy waters. Many of the United States submarine bases were closed after the war. [1]

Contents

History

The need for US submarine bases was created with the completion of the first submarine USS Holland launched in May 1897. The USS Holland was acquired by the Navy 11 April 1900. On 16 October 1900, the USS Holland departed for her first port, United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland for crew training. USS Holland had a crew of one officer, and five enlisted men. Annapolis being a training center was not designated a submarine base, though the USS Holland was stationed there.

The USS Pike and the USS Grampus completed in 1902 were built in San Francisco, California. The Holland Torpedo Boat Company of New York City contracted Union Iron Works to build the two Plunger-class submarines. For three and half years the two submarines operated out of Mare Island Naval Shipyard in San Francisco Bay for training and testing. Mare Island, being a shipyard, also was not designated a submarine base.

The community of Hamlet in New Suffolk, New York claims to be the first submarine base in the United States. The USS Holland was based at Hamlet's Holland Torpedo Boat Station, open from 1899 to 1905. Seven submarines built by the Holland Torpedo Boat Company were stationed at Hamlet. Torpedo Boat Station, also was not designated a submarine base by the US Navy, being a private company with Navy personnel stationed there. [2]

By January 1911 the Navy had 20 submarines built: Seven A-class submarine, Three B-class submarine, five C-class submarine, three D-class submarine, and two E-class submarines.

United States F-class submarine were built by the Electric Boat in 1909. The first two, USS F-1 (SS-20) and *USS F-2 (SS-21) were built by Union Iron Works. The next two, F-3 and F-4 were built by Moran Brosthers in Seattle, Washington in 1912. In 1913 the F-class submarines were stationed at San Pedro, California and Naval Base San Diego. San Pedro and San Diego also were not designated submarine bases. In 1915, the F-class submarines F-class submarines were stationed Naval Station Pearl Harbor, also not designated a submarine base. In 1917 F-class submarines were stationed at San Diego and San Diego's Point Loma. [3] [4]

The United States Navy designated Naval Submarine Base New London as the first submarine base. Naval Submarine Base New London was commissioned in 1916 as a dedicated submarine base. [5]

Due to the Japanese hostilities in China and the South Pacific in 1939 the US Congress approved plans for building submarine bases and seaplane bases at Dutch Harbor Alaska, Kodiak, Alaska, Midway Atoll, and Wake Island. [6]

USS Canopus with all six members of Submarine Division 17 in Apra Harbor, Guam, October 1924 USS Canopus (AS-9) with submarines at Guam in 1924.jpg
USS Canopus with all six members of Submarine Division 17 in Apra Harbor, Guam, October 1924
USS Canopus (AS-9) in 1932 with S-37; S-40; S-36; S-38; S-41; S-39 at Naval Base Cavite USSCanopus(AS-9)atCavite.jpg
USS Canopus (AS-9) in 1932 with S-37; S-40; S-36; S-38; S-41; S-39 at Naval Base Cavite

The ship USS Wyoming (BM-10) built in 1902 was used as the first submarine tender. [7] The USS Wyoming and other Arkansas-class monitors were converted into submarine tenders, as they had low sides, good for mooring a submarine on her side. The submarine tender refueled and resupplied the submarines. The submarine tender allowed the submarine to operate at its patrol area longer, operating out of advanced bases in the field. This reduced the need to return to permanent bases farther away. Other early Submarine Tenders, Auxiliary Submarine ship, known as "AS", were USS Alert (AS-4), USS Camden (AS-6) US Rainbow (AS-7) and USS Canopus (AS-9). The USS Beaver was the first specially built submarine tender, completed in 1918. Other submarine tenders were built by conversions. The demand for submarine bases during World War 2 was so great that many specially built submarine tenders were built. Submarine Tender carried fuel for the submarines, food for the crew, and living quarters for the crew to rest while the sub was being serviced. The ship's depot would have all the supplies that the submarine needed to get back on patrol. Submarine bases that had limited or no land facilities used submarine Tender at the advanced submarine bases. The USS Fulton, commissioned on 7 December 1914, was the first of the Fulton-class submarine tenders. Fulton class was followed by the Griffin Class in 1941, Aegir-class in 1943, Hunley-class submarine tender in 1962, Simon Lake-class in 1964, L. Y. Spear-class in 1970, Emory S. Land-class in 1974, Emory S. Land Class in 1979. [8] [9] [10]

The current US Navy fleet of nuclear submarines never need to be refueled. Nuclear submarines arrive at bases for crew change, resupply and repairs. Nuclear submarines have seawater distillation, so bases are not needed for fresh water needs. [11] [12]

Active Bases

United States Navy submarine bases:

Active Centers

Closed bases

Closed United States Navy submarine bases:

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mare Island Naval Shipyard</span> United States historic place

The Mare Island Naval Shipyard (MINSY) was the first United States Navy base established on the Pacific Ocean. It is located 25 miles (40 km) northeast of San Francisco in Vallejo, California. The Napa River goes through the Mare Island Strait and separates the peninsula shipyard from the main portion of the city of Vallejo. MINSY made a name for itself as the premier U.S. West Coast submarine port as well as serving as the controlling force in San Francisco Bay Area shipbuilding efforts during World War II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Submarine base</span> Military base that shelters submarines and their personnel

A submarine base is a military base that shelters submarines and their personnel.

USS <i>Scabbardfish</i> Submarine of the United States

USS Scabbardfish (SS-397), a Balao-class submarine, was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for the scabbarddfish, a long, compressed, silver-colored fish found on European coasts and around New Zealand. In 1965 she was transferred to the Hellenic Navy and renamed Triaina.

USS <i>Blackfin</i> Submarine of the United States

USS Blackfin (SS-322), a Balao-class submarine in commission from 1944 to 1948 and from 1951 to 1972, was a ship of the United States Navy named for the blackfin cisco, a food fish of the Great Lakes.

USS <i>Brill</i> Submarine of the United States

USS Brill (SS-330), a Balao-class submarine, was a ship of the United States Navy in commission from 1944 to 1947. She was named for the brill, a European flatfish.

USS <i>Gillis</i> Tender of the United States Navy

USS Gillis (DD-260/AVD-12) was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy. She was named for Commodore John P. Gillis and Rear Admiral James Henry Gillis.

USS <i>Thornton</i> (DD-270) Tender of the United States Navy

USS Thornton (DD-270/AVD-11) was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was named for James and Ryan Thornton, naval officers during the American Civil War, and was the second ship to bear this name.

USS <i>Hulbert</i> Tender of the United States Navy

USS Hulbert (DD-342/AVD-6) was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy following World War I. She was named for Henry Hulbert.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Submarine Squadron 4</span> Military unit

Submarine Squadron 4 was raised by the United States Navy in 1930. Since 9 July 1997, the squadron has been based at the Naval Submarine Base New London, Groton, Connecticut, United States of America.

USS <i>Gilmore</i> Evarts-class destroyer escort

USS Gilmore (DE-18) was an Evarts-class short-hull destroyer escort in the service of the United States Navy.

USS <i>Casco</i> (AVP-12) Tender of the United States Navy

The third USS Casco (AVP-12) was a United States Navy Barnegat-class small seaplane tender in commission from 1941 to 1947. She saw service in World War II. After her decommissioning, the U.S. Navy loaned her to the United States Coast Guard, in which she served as the cutter USCGC Casco (WAVP-370), later WHEC-370, from 1949 to 1969.

USS Anaqua (AN-40/YN-59) was an Ailanthus-class net laying ship which served with the United States Navy in the Western Pacific Theater of Operations during World War II. She served the U.S. Pacific Fleet with her protective anti-submarine nets, and returned home safely after the war.

USS Boxwood (YN-3/AN-8) was an Aloe-class net laying ship which was assigned to serve U.S. Navy ships and harbors during World War II with her protective anti-submarine nets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VPB-43</span> Military unit

VPB-43 was a Patrol Bombing Squadron of the U.S. Navy. The squadron was established as Patrol Squadron 43 (VP-43) on 21 July 1941, redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron 43 (VPB-43) on 1 October 1944 and disestablished on 15 September 1945.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naval Base Manila</span> Former Major United States Navy Base

Naval Base Manila, Naval Air Base Manila was a major United States Navy base south of the City of Manila, on Luzon Island in the Philippines. Some of the bases dates back to 1898, the end of the Spanish–American War. Starting in 1938 civilian contractors were used to build new facilities in Manila to prepare for World War II. Work stopped on December 23, 1941, when Manila was declared not defendable against the Empire of Japan southward advance, which took over the city on January 2, 1942, after the US declared it an open city. US Navy construction and repair started in March 1945 with the taking of Manila in the costly Battle of Manila ending on March 2, 1945. Naval Base Manila supported the Pacific War and remained a major US Naval Advance Base until its closure in 1971.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carrier Aircraft Service Units</span> United States Navy aircraft repair unit

Carrier Aircraft Service Units (CASU) were United States Navy units formed during World War II for the Pacific War to support naval aircraft operations. From 1942 to 1946, 69 Carrier Aircraft Service Units were formed to repair and maintain aircraft. The first unit was deployed to Naval Station Pearl Harbor. The CASU-11, was deployed on January 22, 1943 at Naval Air Station San Diego. During the war the Navy lacked enough aircraft carriers to complete all the operational requirements.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naval Base Darwin</span> Major World War 2 base in Australia

Naval Base Darwin was a United States Navy base built during World War II at Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. The first US operations at Darwin was Naval mine depot, built to supply Australia with mines to support the Pacific War. As the US Navy expanded in the Island hopping campaign, Naval Base Darwin expanded to include a Port Darwin submarine base, PT boat Bases, and other facilities. US Navy operations started in 1942 and ended after the war in 1945.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holland Torpedo Boat Station</span> First United States Navy submarine station

Holland Torpedo Boat Station is where the first United States Navy submarines were stationed for trials and training of submarine crews from 1899 to 1905. Holland Torpedo Boat Station was located in the hamlet of New Suffolk, New York. New Suffolk claims to be the first submarine base in the United States. The USS Holland was based at New Suffolk's Holland Torpedo Boat Station from 1899 to 1905. Seven submarines built by the Holland Torpedo Boat Company – Electric Boat Company were stationed at New Suffolk. Holland Torpedo Boat Station on Cutchogue Harbor was not designated a submarine base by the US Navy. The US Navy gave that title to Naval Submarine Base New London as the first submarine base. Naval Submarine Base New London was commissioned by the US Navy in 1916 as a dedicated submarine base.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naval Base San Pedro</span> World War II Naval Base in Los Angeles

Naval Base San Pedro and San Pedro Submarine Base were United States Navy bases at the Port of San Pedro, California officially founded in 1919. While commissioned in 1919, the Navy started operating out of the port in 1910, by renting dock space at the City of San Pedro's Dock No. 1 in 1914. The Navy had vessels stationed at the port starting in 1913. The San Pedro Submarine Base closed in 1923, with the end of World War I. Naval Base San Pedro became part of Naval Operating Base Terminal Island on 25 September 1941, which closed in 1947.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naval Base Hawaii</span> World War II Bases in Territory of Hawaii

Naval Base Hawaii was a number of United States Navy bases in the Territory of Hawaii during World War II. At the start of the war, much of the Hawaiian Islands was converted from tourism to a United States Armed Forces base. With the loss of US Naval Base Philippines in Philippines campaign of 1941 and 1942, Hawaii became the US Navy's main base for the early part of the island-hopping Pacific War against Empire of Japan. Naval Station Pearl Harbor was founded in 1899 with the annexation of Hawaii.

References

  1. Building the Navy's Bases in World War II, Volume II (Part III, Chapter 26) US Navy
  2. "First Submarine Base Historical Marker". www.hmdb.org.
  3. "California Naval History: The City of Los Angeles . . . An Inland City with the First Submarine Base on the Pacific Coast".
  4. Naval Base San Pedro US Navy
  5. "Naval Submarine Base New London, Connecticut". Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 12 May 2020.
  6. "World War II National Historic Landmarks: The Aleutian Campaign (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov.
  7. "Ships of the California Naval Militia: USS Wyoming". www.militarymuseum.org.
  8. "Second Submarine Tender to be Homeported in Guam". U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.
  9. "Submarine Tenders". www.msc.usff.navy.mil.
  10. "Anthedon (AS-24)". US Navy.
  11. Nuclear Submarines and Aircraft Carriers |US EPA epa.gov
  12. "Submarine Distilling Systems – Chapter 1". maritime.org.
  13. Submarine Base Yokosuka US Navy
  14. "Kodiak Naval Operating Base and Forts Greely and Abercrombie National Historic Landmark (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov.
  15. "Wake Atoll National Wildlife Refuge". FWS.gov.
  16. United States Virgin Islands viport.com