S-35

S-35 is shown here in a rough sea, heeled far over to starboard. The location is likely in Asian waters, with the date being approximately 1926-1927.

Photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

S-35 is seen here at the end of her overhaul at Puget Sound Navy Yard on May 2, 1943. While on her fifth war patrol the S-35 suffered massive damage due to electrical shorts and fires caused by water flooding down the bridge access hatch.

Puget Sound Navy Yard Photo / NARA Seattle Collection.

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On the afternoon of December 21, 1942, S-35 ran into a storm while surfaced off Amchitka in the Aleutian Islands off Alaska. By early evening, waves were smashing over the bridge and cascading into the control room. The conning tower hatch was ordered shut. Almost simultaneously, another huge wave crashed over the bridge, flinging the captain, Lieutenant Henry S. Monroe, into the hatch. Injured, Monroe retired to his quarters, only to be roused a short time later, about 18:30, by cries of "fire" in the control room. Electric arcs and blue flames spewed out of the main power cables coming from the forward battery. Smoke filled the room; and water, which had caused the fire by soaking cables and causing a short, rose in the control room bilges. The fire was extinguished in the control room but immediately broke out in the forward battery. These photos show fire damage in the control room.

Puget Sound Navy Yard Photos / NARA Seattle Collection.

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Fire extinguishers had no effect. The forward two compartments were abandoned, and the battery was secured. Fire again broke out in the control room; and, as in the forward battery, extinguishers were of little help. Smoke filled the control room. The engines were stopped. The room was abandoned and sealed. Short circuits spread. Electrical equipment was disabled. A hole was burned in the top of the Number Two main ballast tank and lines from two air banks were severed.

At about 18:55, unsuccessful attempts to reenter the control room using escape lungs were made. Shortly thereafter, two volunteers, using oxygen charged escape lungs, entered the room and flooded the magazines. They also partially blew the Number Three main ballast tank to gain more freeboard and shut the auxiliary induction to seal the forward battery.

The fight to save the submarine continued. The engines were started again. A fire extinguisher watch was set over the section of cable still arcing and a bucket brigade was organized to assist in keeping down the water level. By 20:00, all extinguishers had been emptied. However S-35, under manual control, was moving east.

The morning of December 22, 1942 brought new fires. Twice, at 07:00 and at 11:00, new flare ups forced the crew to the bridge. But the same fires apparently contributed to the fire burning itself out. After the second, the forward battery was sufficiently discharged and prevented further fire in the control room. Smoke from the forward battery compartment, however, continued to be a problem until she entered Kuluk Bay on Adak where the battery was fully disconnected. Arriving at noon on December 24, the boat was ventilated and medical help was obtained. Four men were hospitalized, and mattresses, bedding, and clothing were dried.

On December 29, S-35 made her way, under escort, into Dutch Harbor on Unalaska. Usable equipment was removed for installation in other S-boats, and, on January 14, 1943 she began the long trip to the Puget Sound Navy Yard for repairs. Arriving at Bremerton, Washington on January 29, repairs took her into the spring. From May 20 to the 31st she conducted post repair trials. On June 3rd, she moved north again.

Two of her crew were awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for non-combat heroism. All of her crew performed magnificently in saving the boat.

Puget Sound Navy Yard Photos / NARA Seattle Collection.

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