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Photo # NH 53821:  USS H-3, circa 1914

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --

USS H-3 (Submarine # 30, later SS-30), 1914-1931.
Name changed from Garfish while under construction

USS H-3, a 358-ton H-1 class submarine, was built at Seattle, Washington. Originally named Garfish, she was renamed H-3 in November 1911, long before her July 1913 launching. Commissioned in January 1914, she spent nearly all of her career in the vicinity of the U.S. Pacific Coast. The frequent fogs, difficult currents and heavy surf of that region produced frequent ship groundings, of which H-3 experienced more than her share. Most notable of these was her stranding on Samoa Beach, near Eureka, California, in mid-December 1916. This event, dramatic in itself, was followed by an unsuccessful salvage attempt that resulted in the loss of the cruiser Milwaukee on 13 January 1917, and the subsequent recovery of H-3 by moving her over the sand to Humboldt Bay, where she was relaunched.

Following repairs H-3 returned to service in West Coast waters, based at San Pedro, California. During July-September 1922 she went to the Atlantic and was decommissioned in October. After more than eight years in lay up at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, USS H-3 was stricken from the Navy list in December 1930 and scrapped during 1931.

This page features, and provides links to, all the views we have related to USS H-3 (Submarine # 30, later SS-30).

For images concerning the stranding and salvage of this submarine, see:

  • Stranding of USS H-3 and USS Milwaukee, and salvage of USS H-3, December 1916 - April 1917.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

    Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

    Photo #: NH 53821

    USS H-3
    (Submarine # 30)

    Photographed circa 1914, probably in the Puget Sound area when first completed.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 103KB; 740 x 595 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 53822

    USS H-3
    (SS-30)

    Underway, circa 1922.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 67KB; 740 x 485 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 76005

    USS H-3
    (Submarine # 30)

    Aground off Point Sur, California, 30 June 1915.

    Courtesy of Donald M. McPherson, 1972.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 87KB; 740 x 485 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 69848

    USS H-3
    (Submarine # 30)

    In drydock at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, in July 1915. Her starboard bilge keel shows the effects of her recent grounding at Point Sur, California.

    Courtesy of Donald M. McPherson, 1969.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 87KB; 740 x 600 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 69850

    USS H-3
    (Submarine # 30)

    In drydock at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, in July 1915. Her starboard bilge keel shows the effects of her recent grounding at Point Sur, California.
    Note the rotating torpedo muzzle cover at H-3's bow.

    Courtesy of Donald M. McPherson, 1969.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 116KB; 740 x 605 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 76004

    USS Cheyenne
    (Monitor # 10)

    With USS H-3 (Submarine # 30), USS H-1 (Submarine # 28) and USS H-2 (Submarine # 29) alongside, probably at San Diego, California, circa 1914-1917.
    Note the submarines' 13-star "boat" flags, and the numbers "23", "21" and "22", on their periscope housings. The first digit of these numbers represents the Second Torpedo Flotilla, to which they were assigned. The second digit represents the individual submarine's name.
    Also note the Sailor seated on Cheyenne's port anchor.

    Courtesy of Donald M. McPherson, 1972.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 81KB; 740 x 485 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 101606

    Submarines alongside USS Cheyenne
    (Monitor # 10)

    At San Pedro, California, circa 1914-1916.
    The submarines are (from left to right):
    USS H-1 (Submarine # 28);
    USS H-2 (Submarine # 29);
    USS F-3 (Submarine # 22) and
    USS H-3 (Submarine # 30).

    Courtesy of H.R. ("Ed") Coffer, 1986

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 49KB; 740 x 490 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 103256

    Submarines at a West Coast port, circa 1919-1922


    The Lake type USS L-8 (SS-48) is at the outboard (left) end of the nest, with her sister, USS L-7 (SS-46), in the middle (3rd from left). USS H-3 (SS-30) is between them, with another Electric Boat Company submarine second from right. The inboard (right) "boat" and that in the foreground are the other two units of the Lake-designed L-5 class, USS L-5 (SS-44) and USS L-6 (SS-45).
    Note piloting station details, periscope, and wide deck of the Lake type "L-boat" in the foreground.

    Collection of Chief Engineman Virgil Breland, USN. Donated by Mrs. E.H. Breland, 1979.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 97KB; 740 x 455 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 103255

    Submarines at a West Coast port, circa 1919-1922


    The Lake type USS L-8 (SS-48) is at the outboard (left) end of the nest, with her sister, USS L-7 (SS-46), in the middle (3rd from left). USS H-3 (SS-30) is between them, with another Electric Boat Company submarine second from right. The inboard "boat" and that in the foreground are the other two units of the Lake-designed L-5 class, USS L-5 (SS-44) and USS L-6 (SS-45).
    Note the "Y-tube" hydrophone mounted on the bow of the submarine in the foreground.

    Collection of Chief Engineman Virgil Breland, USN. Donated by Mrs. E.H. Breland, 1979.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 89KB; 740 x 460 pixels

     

    For images concerning the stranding and salvage of this submarine, see:

  • Stranding of USS H-3 and USS Milwaukee, and salvage of USS H-3, December 1916 - April 1917.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


    Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

    Page made 25 May 2004
    New images added 18 November 2005