S-19 ran aground off Chatham, Mass January 13, 1925 on Nauset Beach on the southern coast of Cape Cod. Foggy weather, strong winds and unusually heavy seas had pushed her far from her course. The Coast Guard Cutters TAMPA (Coast Guard Cutter No. 48) and ACUSHNET came her assistance. Here, the searchlight from the TAMPA illuminates the S-19 in the dark.
Courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection.
A series of photos that show S-19's increasingly perilous position on the beach after sunrise on January 13, 1925. A flood tide and freshening winds are increasing the wave action and the S-19 is getting battered.
Photos courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection.
A close up of S-19 on Nauset Beach, Cape Cod on the morning of January 13, 1925. A heavy wave has just broke to windward and her port side is taking the brunt of it.
Courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection.
After a tremendous effort, S-19 was eventually freed from the beach and was towed to the Boston Navy Yard in Charlestown, MA. for repairs. This series of photographs show her in drydock there. The caisson has been put in place and the dock is being pumped down. Braces have been erected from the walls of the dock to ensure the boat stays upright. A diving boat is moving around while a diver is in the water inspecting the keel blocks to make sure they have not shifted and that the S-19 is resting squarely and evenly. There is heavy damage to the starboard side aft diving plane, the rudder, and the starboard side bilge keel. Most likely there is also damage to the hull plates near the keel, but this is not visible in these views..
Photos courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection.
A long shot from the drydock caisson wall, showing S-19 firmly down on the blocks. The diver has been recovered and the boat moved to the wall.
Photo courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection.
