USS S-44, a 1126-ton S-42 class submarine built at Quincy, Massachusetts, was commissioned in February 1925. Following initial operations off the New England coast, she was stationed at Coco Solo, Panama Canal Zone from mid-1925 until 1927, when she shifted her base to San Diego, California. In 1930, S-44 was transferred to Hawaii, remaining there until mid-decade, when she returned to San Diego. In 1937, her base was changed to Coco Solo again.
Overhauled in 1941, S-44 returned to the Panama Canal Zone early in 1942 to begin her active World War II service. In March and April, she crossed the Pacific to Brisbane, Australia, from which she made four war patrols to the Solomon Islands area between April and October. In the course of these, S-44 sank the Japanese salvage ship Shoei Maru on 12 May, the converted gunboat Keijo Maru on 21 June and the heavy cruiser Kako on 10 August. An intensive depth charge attack on 4 October, after she had attacked a Japanese destroyer, caused serious damage, and she was sent back to the United States in early 1943 for much-needed repairs.
In June 1943, her overhaul completed, S-44 left the Philadelphia Navy Yard en route to the Aleutians, where she arrived in mid-September. On the night of 7 October, during her fifth war patrol, she attacked a Japanese ship with her deck gun. Unfortunately, the enemy ship turned out to be a destroyer. Seriously outgunned and unable to submerge, S-44 was hit several times and sunk. Only two of her crew were rescued by the Japanese.
This page features, or provides links to, all the views we have related to USS S-44.
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Photo #: NH 42264 USS S-44 (SS-155) Leaving Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, 1929. Photographed by Chief Quartermaster Peck. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 128KB; 740 x 620 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 42263 USS S-44 (SS-155) In San Diego harbor, California, during the later 1920s or the 1930s. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 120KB; 740 x 600 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 42262 USS S-44 (SS-155) Underway during the later 1920s or the 1930s. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 106KB; 740 x 595 pixels |
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Photo #: NH 80598 Submarines at Coco Solo, Panama Canal Zone, 1926 These boats are: Courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation. Collection of Lieutenant O.E. Wightman. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Online Image: 94KB; 740 x 550 pixels |
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Photo #: 19-N-41382 USS S-44 (SS-155) Underway off the Panama Canal Zone, circa February 1943, while en route to the Philadelphia Navy Yard for overhaul. Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives. Online Image: 73KB; 740 x 590 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: 19-N-46193 USS S-44 (SS-155) Underway off the Philadelphia Navy Yard following overhaul, 11 June 1943. Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives. Online Image: 52KB; 740 x 600 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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Photo #: 19-N-46194 USS S-44 (SS-155) Underway off the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Pennsylvania, after her last overhaul, 11 June 1943. Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives. Online Image: 60KB; 740 x 540 pixels Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system. |
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For more images related to this submarine, see:
If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions." |
Page made 24 October 2001
Page divided and new image added 7 July 2002