S-23

Four S-class submarines moored in New York City, mid 1920's. The boat in the foreground can't be identified, but the three in the background are (L to R) the S-23, S-27 (SS-132), and the S-21 (SS-126). S-23 and S-27 have canvas awnings erected over their bridges to keep them shaded from the summer sun.

National Archives photo

Actor Jimmy Durante taking a break on the forward deck of the S-23 during the filming of the 1933 movie "Hell Below". Durante played the character of the ships cook nicknamed "Ptomaine".

The USS S-31 played the fictional U.S. submarine AL-14. MGM purchased the USS Moody (DD-277), a World War I-era destroyer destined for scrapping due to the London Naval Treaty limits on navy strength, for $35,000. The firm of Merritt-Chapman & Scott was hired to sink the ship to simulate the torpedoing of an Austro-Hungarian minelayer. Principal location photography took place in Honolulu and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. (Wikipedia)

From the private collection of Ric Hedman.

Back of photo inscription. The date of 1940 seems to have been someone's guess as to the date the photo was taken. It had to have been taken in 1933.

There seems to be conflicting evidence as to the sub ID. It is known that the S-31 was used in the making of the movie "Hell Below", but this notation says this is the S-23. Both subs were stationed at Pearl Harbor at the same time where the movie was made. It is possible that the S-23 was used for some shots. A little paint and 'bingo' you had the same boat. Who would know the difference? It is likely that conflicting operational schedules for the submarines dictated that more than one would be used for the filming.

From the Private Collection of Ric Hedman

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