K-5 SS-36

 

 

K-5

(SS-36: dp. 392 (surf.), 521 (subm.); 1. 153'7"; b. 16'8";
dr. 13'1", s. 14 k. (surf.), 10.5 k. (subm.), epl. 28;
a. 4 18" tt.; el. K-1)

K-5 (SS-36) was launched 17 March 1914, by the Fore River Shipbuilding Co., Quincy, Mass., under a subcontract from the Electric Boat Co., Groton, Conn., sponsored by Mrs. Warren G. Child; and commissioned 22 August, Lt. ( j.g. ) H. Gibson in command.

K-5 departed Boston 16 November for Newport, R.I., where she joined the 4th Division, Atlantic Torpedo Flotilla, for experiments and exercises to develop the techniques of submarine warfare. She operated for almost 3 years along the Atlantic coast from New England to tbe Gulf of Mexico conducting underwater maneuvers, undergoing diving and torpedo flring practice, and training submariners.

She departed New Iondon, Conn., 12 October 1917, for duty in the Atlantic. Steaming via Halifax, N.S., with K-l, K-2, and K-6 she arrived Ponta Delgada, Azores. 27 October for patrol duty. As the flrst U.S. submarine to cruise European waters during the war, they operated out of the Azores searching for enemy U-boats and surface raiders. K-5 continued this important duty until 18 April 1918, when she headed home via Bermuda and Hampton Roads, Va., arriving Philadelphia 16 May. Proceding to New London 27 Septembe.r, she departed for Key West, Fla., 7 January 1919, to resume development operations.

K-5 operated in the Gulf of Mexico out of Kev West and New Orleans. After eruising the Mississippi River to St. Louis, Mo., she sailed from New Orleans 27 July 1919, for operations between Rey West, Fla., and Havana, Cuba. K-5 departed Key West for Philadelphia 12 June 1920, arriving the 17th for overhaul.

Repairs completed, she sailed to Hampton Roads, Va., 5 March1 1921 to continue coastal operations. For almost 2 years she ranged the eastern seaboard from Cape Cod to the Florida Keys, participating in numerous experiments and maneuvers to improve the operational and tactical abilities of the submarine. Following diving trials off Cape Cod, K5 arrived Hampton Roads 7 September 1922. She continued operations in the Chesapeake Bay, then decommissioned at Hampton Roads 20 February 1923. Taken in tow to Philadelphia 13 November 1924, she was struck from the Navy List 18 December 1930. She was sold for scrapping 3 June 1931.