March 3rd - On This Date - USN Submarine Service

1895 -  

John P. Holland took a leaf from the Nordenfeldt playbook – in this case, good public relations to overcome political intransigence – and let it be known that he was entertaining offers from foreign navies. On March 3, the John P. Holland Torpedo Boat Company was awarded $200,000 to build an 85-foot, 15 knot, steam-powered submarine to be called "Plunger".

Holland was only somewhat pleased – he didn't like the imposition of a steam engine, as well some changes the Navy insisted upon: the Navy knew what it wanted, but didn't know what it was doing. Congress was thrilled, and immediately authorized two more submarines of the Plunger type at $175,000 each.

1942 - 

USS PERCH (SS-176) and LCDR D. A. Hurt surfaced thirty miles northwest of Soerabaja, Java, N.E.I. on the evening of 1 March 1942 and started in for an attack on the enemy convoy that was landing troops to the west of Soerabaja. Two enemy destroyers attacked and drove her down with a string of depth charges which caused her to bottom at 135 feet. Several more depth charge attacks caused extensive damage, putting the starboard motors out of commission and causing extensive flooding throughout the boat. After repairs, PERCH surfaced at two o'clock in the morning only to be again driven down by the enemy destroyers. The loss of oil and air from damaged ballast tanks convinced the enemy that PERCH was breaking up and they went on to look for other kills, allowing PERCH to surface.

The crew made all possible repairs with the submarine's decks awash and only one engine in commission. During the early morning of 3 March, a test dive was made with almost fatal results. Expert handling and good luck enabled her to surface from that dive only to be attacked by two enemy cruisers and three destroyers. When the enemy shells commenced to straddle, the commanding officer ordered all hands on deck. With all possible hull openings open, PERCH made her last dive and ended her second patrol.

The entire crew was captured by a Japanese destroyer. Of the fifty-four men and five officers only six, who died of malnutrition in Japanese prisoner-of-war camps, were unable to return to their country to enjoy the victory for which they had fought so valiantly.

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

60 crew were taken POW, 6 men later died as POWs but none were lost with PERCH that day.

PERCH received one battle star for World War II service.

1943 - 

PCU GUAVINA (SS-362) keel laid as GUAVINA at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company, Manitowoc, WI.

1945 - 

USS BARRACUDA (SS-163) second decommissioning at Philadelphia Navy Yard, Philadelphia, PA.

1945 - 

 USS BONITA (SS-165) second decommissioning at Philadelphia Navy Yard, Philadelphia, PA.

1967 -  

PCU STURGEON (SSN-637) commissioned USS STURGEON (SSN-637) at General Dynamics Corporation, Quincy, MA; Lt. Comdr. Curtis B. Shellman, Jr. commanding. She was the lead boat of a 37 unit class which introduced General Dynamics to submarine construction.

1979 -  

PCU NEW YORK CITY (SSN-696) commissioned USS NEW YORK CITY (SSN-696) at the Electric Boat Division, General Dynamics Corporation, Groton, CT.

1980 - 

USS NAUTILUS (SSN-571) decommissioned and struck from the Naval Vessel Register at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, CA. Laid up in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet and retained by the Navy as a museum.

1984 -  

PCU NEWPORT NEWS (SSN-750) keel laid as NEWPORT NEWS at Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, Newport News, VA.

COB