USS O-15 (SS-76)

USS "O-15" (SS-76) was an "O"-class submarine of the United States Navy. Her keel was laid down on 21 September 1916 by California Shipbuilding Company in Long Beach, California.

The later O-boats ("O-11" through "O-16") were designed by Lake Torpedo Boat to different specifications from the earlier ones designed by Electric Boat. They performed much less well, and are sometimes considered a separate class.

"O-15" was launched on 12 February 1918, sponsored by Mrs. J. J. Murphy, and commissioned on 27 August 1918 with Lieutenant C. K. Martin in command.

Commissioning during the final months of World War I, "O-15" saw brief war time service, on patrol along the Atlantic coast. After the war, she reported to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where machinists and electricians worked on her until 20 September 1919, when she was reduced to "in commission, in reserve," at Cape May, New Jersey. She departed Philadelphia in April 1920 and proceeded, via Jamaica, to Coco Solo, Panama Canal Zone, where she underwent overhaul and conducted experimental tests. Conducting training cruises, she operated in and around Cuba and the Virgin Islands early in 1922 and returned to Coco Solo in April.

"O-15" reported to Philadelphia in November 1923 and decommissioned there 11 June 1924 after just five and a half years of service. Struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 9 May 1930, she was scrapped, under terms of the London Naval Treaty on 30 July 1930.

References