February 11th - On This Date - USN Submarine Service

1915 –

PCU L-2 (SS-41) launched at Fore River Shipbuilding Company, Quincy, MA; sponsored by Mrs. Russel Gray.

1921 –

PCU S-14 (SS-119) commissioned USS S-14 (SS-119) at Lake Torpedo Boat Company, Bridgeport, CT; Lt. Comdr. Charles A. Lockwood, Jr. commanding.

1942 –

USS SHARK (SS-174) and LCDR L. Shane, Jr. set sail from Pearl Harbor on 3 December 1940 to join the Asiatic Fleet based at Manila, Philippine Islands, where she engaged in fleet tactics and exercises until the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Departing Manila on 9 December 1941, the submarine was at sea during the Japanese bombing raids on Manila the next day. For the next week, SHARK patrolled Tayabas Bay until ordered back to Manila on the 19th to embark Admiral Thomas C. Hart, Commander-in-Chief of the United States Asiatic Fleet, for transportation to Soerabaja, Java. On 6 January 1942, she was barely missed by a torpedo from a Japanese submarine. A few days later, she was ordered to Ambon Island, where an enemy invasion was expected. On 27 January, she was directed to join the submarines patrolling in Molucca Passage, then to cover the passage east of Lifamatola and Bangka Strait. On 2 February, SHARK reported to her base at Soerabaja that she had been depth-charged ten miles off Tifore Island and had failed to sink a Japanese ship during a torpedo attack. Five days later, she reported chasing an empty cargo ship headed northwest. No further messages were received from SHARK. On 8 February, she was told to proceed to Makassar Strait and later was told to report information. Nothing was heard and SHARK was reported as presumed lost, the victim of unknown causes.

Fifty-nine men were lost with SHARK that day.

She was the fourth U.S. submarine loss of World War II.

SHARK (SS-174) received one battle star for World War II service.

1984 –

PCU GEORGIA (SSBN-729) commissioned USS GEORGIA (SSBN-729) at the Electric Boat Division, General Dynamics Corporation, Groton, CT.

1989 –

PCU PASADENA (SSN-752) commissioned USS PASADENA (SSN-752) at the Electric Boat Division, General Dynamics Corporation, Groton, CT.

2004 –

Following a successful six-month Western Pacific deployment, USS PORTSMOUTH (SSN-707) returned home to San Diego, CA. Upon her return, PORTSMOUTH was awarded the 2003 Commander, Submarine Squadron 11 Tactical White 'T,' Communications Green 'C' and the Damage Control Red 'DC.'