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NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive

Patch contributed by Mike Smolinski

Dorado (SS-248)

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USCS Log

Gato Class Submarine: Laid down, 27 August 1942, at Electric Boat Co., Groton, CT.; Launched, 23 May 1943; Commissioned USS Dorado (SS-248), 28 August 1943; Final Dispostion, lost at sea while in transit from New London, CT. to the Panama Canal; Struck from the Naval Register, (date unknown).

Specifications: Displacement, Surfaced: 1,526 t., Submerged: 2,424 t.; Length 311' 9"; Beam 27' 3"; Draft 15' 3"; Speed, Surfaced 20.25 kts, Submerged 8.75 kts; Complement 6 Officers 54 Enlisted; Operating Depth, 300 ft; Submerged Endurance, 48 hrs at 2 kts; Patrol Endurance 75 days; Cruising Range, 11,000 miles surfaced at 10 kts; Armament, ten 21" torpedo tubes, six forward, four aft, 24 torpedoes, one 3"/50 deck gun, two .50 cal. machine guns, two .30 cal. machine guns; Propulsion, diesel electric reduction gear with four General Motors main generator engines, 5,400HP, Fuel Capacity, 97,140 gal., four General Electric main motors, 2,740HP, two 126-cell main storage batteries, twin screws.

NOTE:
Dr. Campbell's published book USS DORADO (SS-248) On Eternal Patrol 6" X 9" Tradebook format. 612 pages, includes more than 200 pages in 12 Appendices. ISBN number: 978-1-257-95155-0.

Click On Image For Full Size	Size	Image Description	Source
	346k	The keel of the Dorado (SS-248) being laid, 27 August 1942, at Electric Boat Co., Groton, CT. This part of the keel is the steel beam between the outer hull and the pressure hull. It also likely separated a tank, for example it could separate the port and starboard portion of a main ballast tank or variable ballast tank. It appears the man is operating a pneumatic rivet gun. I would says he is driving the symbolic first rivet for the keel laying. Interesting that this is being done prior to the keel being landed on the keel blocks. Then there is the welding ground clamp below the man's right hand and a welder with hood standing by. It could be that the first rivet was driven followed by the first weld.	Text courtesy of Darryl L. Baker. Electric Boat photo in the NARA (National Archives & Records Administration) files, courtesy of Patrick Donnelly, DR. Douglas Campbell & mersfoundation.org
	315k	Signs of the times: Logo's for the following boats are emblazoned on the building wall to the right: Dace (SS-247), Dorado (SS-248), Flasher (SS-249), Flier (SS-250), Flounder (SS-251) & Gabilan (SS-252).	Photo from the Photo Essay How To Build A Submarine at Electric Boat Co. New London, Conn. Photographer: Bernard Hoffman, courtesy of life.time.com
	200k	First day cover for keel laying of the Dorado (SS-248). Her keel was laid in the Victory Yard of the Electric Boat Company on 27 August 1942.	Courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
	486k	Dorado (SS-248) was sponsored by Mrs. Francis Allen, wife of Admiral Ezra Griffen Allen,Budget Officer of the United States Department of the Navy.	Photo courtesy of Wendy S. Gulley, Archivist, Submarine Force Museum, Naval Submarine Base NLON, Groton CT.
	75k	The caption reads: "The commander of the lost submarine Dorado (SS-248) and his family at the launching of the craft last May at Groton, Conn. From left: EARLE V. SCHNEIDER, the commander's son; CHIEF RADIOMAN EARLE G. SCHNEIDER, his father; EARLE C. SCHNEIDER, the sub commander; and MRS. SCHNEIDER, his mother.' at Electric Boat Co., Groton, CT., 23 May 1943.	Photo i.d. courtesy of DR. Douglas Campbell & mersfoundation.org. USN photo courtesy of ibiblio.org.
	563k	On the occasion of Dorado's (SS-248) launching, 23 May 1943, Lt. Comdr. Earle C. Schneider, her prospective commanding officer, stands with (L-R) his wife of six years, Stella, his father Chief Radioman Earle V. Schneider, his 5-year old son Earle V., and his mother Mary Louise. Lt. Comdr. Schneider, cited for his "excellent judgment and cool courage under fire," held the Silver Star awarded for his performance of duty as assistant approach officer in the submarine Trigger (SS-237)) on three war patrols. *Dorado* was Schneider's first command.	Photo & text courtesy of Electric Boat Company Photograph in Ships Names and Sponsors Collection, Naval History & Heritage Command.
	1.30k	Launching of the Dorado (SS-248) at Electric Boat Co., Groton, CT., 23 May 1943.	Photographed by the Electric Boat Company courtesy of history.navy.mil
0824732	NR	Submarine Hulls Building Between Victory Yard Craneways Splendid addition to the Nelseco Plant of the Electric Boat Company, the Victory Yard is now practically completed, and submarines growing on the ways will be speeded to join the Dace (SS-247) and the Dorado (SS-248), Victory Yard boats which were rushed to launching readiness while the extensive activity of building the yard was in effect. A view of the craneways with submarine hulls building on both sides. Several Ganthy Cranes, which load large fabricated parts and material on the boats, are stopped temporarily during the change of ships. The huge building that runs the length of the picture in the background is the 900-foot long Fabricating and Welding Assembly Shop.	Official U. S. Navy Photograph. Image and text provided by Connecticut State Library, Hartford, CT. Photo from The Sub. (Groton, Conn.) 193?-1946, 17 June 1943, Image 5 via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
	843k	Closeup view of Dorado's (SS-248) midships area, taken while she was fitting out at the Electric Boat Company shipyard, Groton, Connecticut, in August 1943. Note women workers in the foreground, and the ship's bell at left.	USN photo 80-G-468485 by Lieutenant Commander Charles Fenno Jacobs, USNR courtesy of history.navy.mil
	187k	A view of the Dorado (SS-248) at a fitting-out pier where technicians install interior equipment. Note the ship's bell.	Photo from the Photo Essay How To Build A Submarine at Electric Boat Co. New London, Conn. Photographer: Bernard Hoffman, courtesy of life.time.com Photo i.d. verified courtesy of Ric Hedman & John Hart.
	137k	Stepping off the dock and down the gang plank to the deck of the Dorado (SS-248), this rivet-less Rosie gets her day's work assignment from her boss and proceeds to the forward / aft engine room area. Note her companion from the gangway walk three photos down (with the checkered shirt and red hair-cover) past the sailors is sitting in the background.	Photo from the Photo Essay How To Build A Submarine at Electric Boat Co. New London, Conn. Photographer: Bernard Hoffman, courtesy of life.time.com
	145k	Over the shoulder of her supervisor is another submarine in the background fitting out. It is possible that this boat is the Dace (SS-247). She was launched 25 April 1943 & commissioned, 23 July 1943.	Photo from the Photo Essay How To Build A Submarine at Electric Boat Co. New London, Conn. Photographer: Bernard Hoffman, courtesy of life.time.com
0824853	1.30k	Working on Dorado (SS-248).	Photo from oneternalpatrol.com
	140k	Right hand on the wrench.	Photo from the Photo Essay How To Build A Submarine at Electric Boat Co. New London, Conn. Photographer: Bernard Hoffman, courtesy of life.time.com
	1.04k	Our two ladies on their way to paint a submarine pass by a group of sailors undoubtedly admiring their taste in clothing.	Photo from the Photo Essay How To Build A Submarine at Electric Boat Co. New London, Conn. Photographer: Bernard Hoffman, courtesy of life.time.com
	119k	Two lady employees of E.B. paint the rear hatch of the submarine during the summer of 1943.	Photo i.d. via John Hummel. Photo from the Photo Essay How To Build A Submarine at Electric Boat Co. New London, Conn. Photographer: Bernard Hoffman, courtesy of life.time.com
	2.12k	The finished product.	Photo from the Photo Essay How To Build A Submarine at Electric Boat Co. New London, Conn. Photographer: Bernard Hoffman, courtesy of life.time.com via Ric Connole.
	116k	Putting the finishing touches on piping.	Photo from the Photo Essay How To Build A Submarine at Electric Boat Co. New London, Conn. Photographer: Bernard Hoffman, courtesy of life.time.com
	323k	Officers and crew of the Dorado (SS-248) with their wives and girl friends at their commissioning party. The photo was taken 13 August 1943 at Polly's Inn, Montville Connecticut. Polly's Inn burned down (total loss) during the night of 5 March, 1947. See the attached newspaper article (Front page, bottom right under FLASHES!) In reference to modern landmarks, the building was situated on route 32 (Norwich-New London Turnpike) in Montville Connecticut, on the left side of the road between Gallivan Lane (on the Gallivan lane side) and where Fort Shantok Road intersects on the opposite side of the road Montville, CT. *Dorado's* (CO), LCDR Earle (Penrod) C. Schneider, former (XO) of the Trigger (SS-237), and son of a Chief Torpedo-man, is the first officer in the first row, on the right hand side, sixth person in, sitting with his wife's arm around him; his (XO), LCDR George A. Wagner & his wife, are the eighth & ninth in the third row (last row sitting, next to the guy wearing glasses to his right). LCDR D. Glass, Jr., is I believe, six people to the left of LCDR Schneider.	Text i.d. courtesy of Joshua Blodgett. Photo courtesy of DR. Douglas Campbell & mersfoundation.org Polly's Inn insert courtesy of Joshua Blodgett.
	202k	Officers and crew of the Dorado (SS-248) at their commissioning party taken 13 August 1943 at Polly's Inn, Montville, CT.	Text i.d. courtesy of Joshua Blodgett. Photo courtesy of DR. Douglas Campbell & mersfoundation.org
	228k	Commemorative postal cover issued on the occasion of the Dorado's (SS-248) commissioning, 28 August 1943.	Courtesy of DR. Douglas Campbell & mersfoundation.org
	50k	Commemorative postal cover issued on the occasion of the Dorado's (SS-248) commissioning, 28 August 1943.	Courtesy of DR. Douglas Campbell & mersfoundation.org
	2.14k	Bow view of the Dorado (SS-248) on sea trials off the New England coast, August 1943.	Electric Boat photo in the NARA (National Archives & Records Administration) files, courtesy of Patrick Donnelly, DR. Douglas Campbell & mersfoundation.org
	147k	Stern view of the Dorado (SS-248) on sea trials off the New England coast, August 1943.	Electric Boat photo in the NARA (National Archives & Records Administration) files, courtesy of Patrick Donnelly, DR. Douglas Campbell & mersfoundation.org
	61k	LCDR. Earle Caffrey Schneider, Commander of the Dorado (SS-248) at the time of her loss.	USN photo via Bill Gonyo.
	568k	Gato class submarine Dorado (SS-248) was lost at night.	Painting courtesy of Ben Kennedy.
0824884	NR	COMMANDER AT LAUNCHING OF SUBMARINE REPORTED LOST The Navy's announcement that the submarine Dorado (SS-248) "is overdue and must be presumed to be lost" brought to 13 today the number of American undersea raiders lost since the Pearl Harbor attack. While the Navy did not say in the announcement yesterday where the loss occurred, it was presumed the action was in the Pacific.	timesmachine.nytimes.com pg 6
0824852	NR	DOESN�T KNOW OF FATHER�S DEATH �How to tell her son "Butch" that�s Earle, jr., 5 that the submarine Dorado (SS-248), which his father commanded, is "presumed to be lost," is the problem facing Mrs. Grace Schneider, 28. Mrs. Schneider saw her husband, Lt. Comdr. Earle Caffray Schneider of Arnold, Md., recently in the East. Returning home, she found the Navy telegram telling of the presumed loss of the *Dorado*. She was talking with reporters when Butch romped in. "They want your picture. Butch, with me," she said. "You know daddy won the Silver Star." Butch posed for this photograph and then ran gleefully outside again.	A. P. Wirephoto Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC. Photo from the Evening Star [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 26 October 1943, Image 18, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
	181k	U.S. Navy Martin PBM-3S Mariner patrol bomber, circa 1944.	Photo courtesy of flugzeuginfo.net.
	17k	50th anniversary commemorative Dorado (SS-248) envelope.	Courtesy of DR. Douglas Campbell & mersfoundation.org
	123k	U.S. Sub Vets Memorial to the Dorado (SS-248) at Wichita, Kansas.	Courtesy of DR. Douglas Campbell & mersfoundation.org
	96k	Memorial to the Dorado (SS-248) at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.	Courtesy of DR. Douglas Campbell & mersfoundation.org
	77k	Commemorative photo in honor of the memory of the crew of the Dorado (SS-248).	Photo courtesy of Tom Kermen. Dante's Prayer courtesy of Loreena McKennitt via loreenamckennitt.com
	65k	Google Earth satellite photo of the site and surrounding islands of Dorado's (SS-248) last approximate position based during post-war debriefings. This position is thought to be the final resting place of the *Dorado* and her crew.	View courtesy of Google Earth.
	117k	Joyce DaSilva, the wife of Jesse DaSilva of the Tang (SS-306), one of the nine survivors of the boat, tosses a flower into a reflecting pool to honor the memory of one of the 52 submarines lost during World War II at the National Submarine Memorial-West on board Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, Calif. On this Veterans Day, the Submarine Veterans of World War II transferred ownership of the memorial to the U.S. Navy. The following text is from The Coming Fury by Bruce Catton., pg. 478. "Major Sullivan Ballou of Rhode Island was killed in the battle, and just before it he had wrote to his wife, Sarah, to tell her that he believed he was going to be killed and to express a tremulous faith that could see a gleam of light in the dark: "But O Sarah! If the dead can come back to this earth and float unseen around those they loved, I shall always be near you in the gladdest days and in the gloomiest nights, always, always, and if there be a soft breeze upon your chest it shall be my breath, as the cool air fans your throbbing temple it shall be my spirit passing by. Sarah, do not mourn me dead; think I am gone and wait, for we shall meet again!"	Text i.d. courtesy of Marlynn Starring. Photo i.d. courtesy of Chuck Senior, Vice Commander, Los Angeles-Pasadena Base, USSVI. USN photo # N-1159B-021 by Journalist 2nd Class Brian Brannon, courtesy of news.navy.mil.
	304k	Memorial to Dorado (SS-248) crew. In the Second Book of Shmuel (Samuel), 22nd chapter, 5th through the 20th verses, translated from the original in Hebrew and published by the Koren Publishers of Jerusalem, Israel, 1982, can perhaps aptly describe the fate of the crew and all other U.S. submariners who died defending their county: "When the waves of death compassed me / the floods of ungodly men made me afraid; / the bonds of She'ol encircled me; / the snares of death took me by surprise; / in my distress I called upon the Lord, / and cried to my G-D: / and he heard my voice out of his temple, / and my cry entered into his ears. / Then the earth shook and trembled; /the foundations of heaven moved / and shook because of his anger /...the heavy mass of waters, and thick clouds of the skies /... And the channels of the sea appeared, / the foundations of the world were laid bare, / at the rebuking of the Lord, at the blast at the breath of his nostrils. / He sent from above, he took me; / he drew me out of many waters; / he delivered me from my strong enemy, and from those who hated me; for they were too strong for me. / They surprised me in the day of my calamity: / but the Lord was my stay / He brought me forth also into a large place: / he delivered me because he delighted in me./"	Courtesy of Robert Miller's Albums : National Sub Memorial - West / epson.com.
Abbott Collection of Submarine Paintings of the Dorado
	1.00k	Text courtesy of Dr. Campbell's published book USS DORADO (SS-248) On Eternal Patrol In 1943, S. DeWitt Clough, President of Abbott Laboratories of North Chicago, IL, collaborated with the Art and Poster Section of the Navy�s Office of Public Relations and the Associated American Artists (AAA) to help tell the story of the U.S. submarine at war. Two artists from AAA, Georges Schreiber and Thomas Hart Benton, sailed with the *Dorado* crew during the shakedown cruises, painting or sketching pencil drawings of the crew at work and rest. Rear Admiral Freeland A. Daubin, USN, was the Commander Submarines, Atlantic Fleet at that time. He states: �The artists who performed [this work] were, in fact, submariners themselves during the time of its performance. They ate, slept and laughed with the submariners. They worked with the men and stood watches with the officers. They lived and cruised aboard our ships and shared in every submarine experience�short of actual combat with the enemy.� The collection of paintings and drawings were called The Silent Service and were presented as a gift to the United States Navy by Abbott Laboratories shortly after the loss of *Dorado. Here are 26 images captured by the two artists, including images of Dorado's* officers and crew. Except for No. 26, the captions are the actual captions attached to the paintings and drawings. They are shown in color at the author�s website at www.ussdorado.com.	Photo courtesy of aaa.si.edu.
	1.72k	Thomas Hart Benton & Georges Schreiber, 1943 collaborated in producing the Abbott Collection of Submarine Paintings, a project largely executed aboard the American submarine Dorado (SS-248), that was later lost in action with all hands. The following drawings are from their collection, courtesy of the U.S. Naval Historical Center. "Sleek and cigar-shaped like the submarine itself, marine torpedoes are loaded aboard the undersea warship in dock. The greatest care must be exercised in this operation-- not only because of the danger, which is comparatively slight, but because a slip might injure one of the immensely valuable "tin fish".	Photo entitled *"Loading Tin Fish"*, by Georges Schreiber #9, Watercolor, 1943. # 88-159-JB. Gift of Abbott Laboratories,
	1.23k	There is no surcease in the vigilance aboard a submarine. Vulnerable to depth charges and bombs, eternally a "lone wolf" on a mission, the Dorado (SS-248) must be ready to crash-dive at an instant's notice. The skipper and executive George Andrew Wagner, Jr. of "old 204" augment the regular lookouts on the conning tower between submerging.	Photo entitled *"Conning Tower"* by Georges Schreiber, #19 Watercolor, 1943. # 88-159-JL. Gift of Abbott Laboratories.
0824854	1.39k	Time to eat, drink coffee and smoke�but the eternal alertness that prevails aboard a U.S. Navy submarine shows in the abstracted demeanor of these men. Relaxed and intent on their separate endeavors, they reveal a common inner tension as they listen for the call �general quarters!�	Photo entitled *"Interlude"* by Georges Schreiber. Gift of Abbott Laboratories courtesy of Douglas E. Campbell, Ph.D.
	1.47k	Relieving the tension of hours below surface, crewmen on board Dorado (SS-248) play a round of cards while a shipmate kibitzes from his bunk. While pondering his cards, each player also listens for the call to battle stations. In the foreground, the bulbous warheads of twin torpedoes seem to peer balefully in quest of targets.	Photo entitled *"All Hands Below"* by Georges Schreiber, #2 Watercolor, 1943. #88-159-IU. Gift of Abbott Laboratories,
0824859	753k	�Steady as she goes� comes the order on the ship�s talker�the man at the wheel, his eyes glued to his instruments, keeps the submarine on course as a shipmate stands by.	Photo entitled *"On Course"* by Thomas Benton. #5 Watercolor, 1943. Gift of Abbott Laboratories, courtesy of Douglas E. Campbell, Ph.D.
	1.53k	The lowly mule still pulls guns and supply wagons, the foot-soldier still fights hand-to-hand with the foe...and the mess cook must still peel potatoes by hand. Some U.S. Navy ships have automatic peelers, but Dorado (SS-248) doesn't, but don't mention it to this man!	Photo entitled *"War Isn't All Mechanized"* by Thomas Hart Benton, #11 Pen and ink on paper, circa 1944. # 88-159-BC. Gift of Abbott Laboratories,
0824858	1.01k	Arguing volubly between bites of their chow, U.S. Navy enlisted men cover subjects ranging between the best Road to Tokyo to the connection between religion and philosophy � with a few brief comments on the New York Yankees, American Women, and the two-party system.	Photo entitled *"Hashing it over"* by Thomas Benton. #7 Watercolor, 1943. Gift of Abbott Laboratories, courtesy of Douglas E. Campbell, Ph.D.
	2.36k	Sweater-clad U.S. Navy submarine men blend into the gloomy background of their ship, Dorado (SS-248), illuminated in eerie fashion by a light in the overhead, as they go about their duties far below the surface while on a patrol mission. An officer keeps his eyes glued to the periscope as he scans the horizon for the outline of an enemy ship.	Photo entitled *"Up Periscope"* by Thomas Hart Benton, #24, Oil on canvas, circa 1944. # 88-159-BP. Gift of Abbott Laboratories,
	1.33k	A smudge of smoke on the horizon reveals the presence of an enemy ship, pray for the Dorado's (SS-248) hungry torpedoes. Only her periscope shows as the sub races below surface to get within target range of her next victim.	Photo entitled *"Sighting the Target"* by Georges Schreiber, #16 Watercolor, 1943. # 88-159-JI. Gift of Abbott Laboratories,
	1.71k	Men and machinery jam the tiny conning tower of Dorado (SS-248), tense yet cool as they await a report from the officer, Earle (Penrod) C. Schneider, LCDR (CO) peering through the periscope. Navigators pore over their charts at the left, beside them a "talker" awaits a command, while at the right a crewman climbs up the ladder from the control room below.	Photo entitled *"Up Periscope"* by Georges Schreiber, #1 Watercolor, 1943. # 88-159-IT. Gift of Abbott Laboratories,
	1.81k	Specialists of the Silent Service -- the submarine fleet of the U.S. Navy-- eye their gauges and instruments with calculating care as Dorado (SS-248) slides through the dark water eighty feet below the surface. Heart of the undersea vessel, the control room contains the giant wheels which operate the diving planes. Here also is the "Christmas Tree", where green or red lights, constantly gleaming and blinking, reveal whether valves and hatches are safely rigged for diving. At the right a "talker" inputs vital information to other parts of the ship, while at the left a crewman goes up the ladder to the conning tower, located just above the control room.	Photo entitled *"Eighty Feet Below"* by Georges Schreiber, #18 Watercolor, 1943. # 88-159-JK,Gift of Abbott Laboratories, courtesy of DR. Douglas Campbell & mersfoundation.org via emory.edu.
	2.89k	The crucial moment has arrived-- the vital occasion for which the Dorado (SS-248) was built and the men were trained -- the firing of torpedoes at an enemy ship. In the confinement of the machinery-laden warship the tension is almost a physical presence as all watch the marksmen ready their deadly bolt.	Photo entitled *"Stand By to Fire"* by Georges Schreiber #17 Watercolor, 1943. # 88-159-JJ. Gift of Abbott Laboratories,
	1.10k	Up from the depth, like a primordial monster, the Dorado (SS-248) rises to charge her batteries, and "air out" under the protective blanket of the night. Often a submarine spends the whole day on the bottom when enemy ships or planes are about.	Photo entitled *"Surface"* by Georges Schreiber #15 Watercolor, 1943. # 88-159-JH. Gift of Abbott Laboratories,
	1.70k	Crewmen of Dorado (SS-248) race up ladders to get aloft through the open hatchway of the conning tower, exhilarated by their eagerness to get a breath of fresh air after hours of confinement below.	Photo entitled *"Up the Hatch"* by Thomas Hart Benton, #25, Oil on press board, circa, 1944. # 88-159-BQ. Gift of Abbott Laboratories,
	1.60k	Final act in a drama at sea. The skipper of Dorado (SS-248), LCDR Earle (Penrod) C. Schneider, and one of his lookouts watch eagerly through their glasses as the victim of their torpedoes up-ends and plunges toward the bottom... one less ship for the enemy to throw against the Allies. The flame of the fire lights a pathway for the sub as she races toward the sinking ship in the hope of picking up prisoners.	Photo entitled *"The Kill"* by Georges Schreiber, #14, Watercolor, 1943. # 88-159-JG. Gift of Abbott Laboratories,
0824860	984k	With the horizon empty of enemy ships, the sky barren of Axis planes, this U.S. Navy sub cruises on the surface to make speed in getting to its objective. The instant danger looms the sub will crash-dive and remain below to strike or hide, depending on the tactical situation.	Photo entitled *"Surfaced for Speed"* by Thomas Benton. #17, Watercolor, 1943. Gift of Abbott Laboratories. From the Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Dan Bailey, Fairway, Kansas.
	2.13k	Choosing to fight on the surface rather than crash-dive, Dorado (SS-248) relies on her three-inch gun rather than costlier torpedoes. While lookouts eye the skies for signs of enemy planes, the gun crew speedily prepares to open fire on the foe. High seas-- a constant peril on the narrow, slippery deck of a sub-- add their menace to the scene.	Photo entitled *"Clear for Action"* by Georges Schreiber, #20 Watercolor, 1943. #88-159-JM. Gift of Abbott Laboratories,
	2.19k	Completely relaxed in exhaustion, crewmen of Dorado (SS-248) do "bunk duty" above a deadly but quiescent torpedo. A shipmate whiles away his off-duty interlude by reading.	Photo entitled *"Slumber Deep"* by Thomas Hart Benton, #19 Watercolor on paper, circa 1944. # 88-159-BK. Gift of Abbott Laboratories,
	1.61k	Excited gestures add emphasis to a crewman's comments on some news contained in a letter received from home. His shipmates peruse the letter while a fourth crewman does "bunk duty" on board Dorado (SS-248).	Photo entitled *"News from Home"* by Georges Schreiber, #13 Watercolor, 1943. # 88-159-JF. Gift of Abbott Laboratories,
	2.21k	Drawing of Dewitt Harris, Steward's Mate, Second Class, Dorado (SS-248). Eyes almost closed in concentration as he reads a periodical spread open on his leg, a crewman munches on a sandwich and sips a cup of the ubiquitous Navy "jamoke"--coffee aboard *Dorado*.	Photo entitled *"Coffee and Chow"* by Thomas Hart Benton #18 Pen and ink on paper, circa 1944. # 88-159-BJ. Gift of Abbott Laboratories,
0824856	1.29k	Even in the depths of enemy waters, the prosaic work of the �kitchen police� must go on. The cramped galley of a submarine is the locale for this scene�not spacious, but the source of what is proudly claimed to be the �best chow in the Navy�.	Photo entitled *"K.P."* by Georges Schreiber. Gift of Abbott Laboratories courtesy of mutualart.com
0824857	1.29k	Crewmen of the Navy�s �silent service� � submarine branch � relax in the torpedo room of a submarine during off-duty moments as their warship proceeds on her way. One man goes up the ladder on duty aloft. In a second this peaceful scene could be turned into an ordered chaos by the call to general quarters.	Photo entitled *"All's well below"* by Thomas Benton #24 Watercolor, 1943. Gift of Abbott Laboratories courtesy of Douglas E. Campbell, Ph.D.
	1.14k	"Going Home", that phrase sounds sweeter to a submarine man than the men of perhaps any other branch of the Navy. Fine-drawn and weary from weeks of patrolling enemy waters, with death often just around the corner, the submarine man and his ship both need rest and "overhauling" when their mission is concluded. A dark, pencil-like shadow under lowering skies, the Dorado (SS-248) skims along on the surface while the night hides her from enemy eyes.	Photo entitled *"Going Home"* by Georges Schreiber #21 Watercolor, 1943. # 88-159-JN. Gift of Abbott Laboratories,
	1.68k	This scene depicts Dorado (SS-248) in a WWII scene that solidified Benton's characterization as an artist committed to portraying a specific piece of American history. Although Benton was often grouped with leftist intellectual circles, he also contributed a series of war propaganda paintings after the outbreak of WWII. The vivid colors and skewed perspective are characteristic of Benton's style that became his trademark in later years; Benton's dramatic use of the Renaissance technique of chiaroscuro, the heavy contrast between light and dark, is also captured in this painting.	Photo entitled *"Score Another for the Subs"* by Thomas Hart Benton, #22 Oil on board, 1943. # 88-159-BN, Gift of Abbott Laboratories.
The Search
	304k	Google Earth satellite photo of the site and surrounding islands of Dorado's (SS-248) last known position (based on reports from the flight crew of the plane that bombed her, thinking she was a U-Boat) was 15 18'N, 073 13'W.(More or less near the letter a of the Caribbean Sea on the map) After the war the U-boat logs were turned over to the Allies and translated into English. The U-boat that was attacked by the same aircrew was the aircrew's second attack but the U-Boat's first. The U-boat log says that they saw a bright light on the horizon at exactly the same time that the PBM dropped a flare after bombing another sub - *Dorado. Now, where Dorado* sank is another problem as there were no oil slicks or debris found at the location. The oil slick they thought they found turned out to be "oleous in nature" - rotting vegetation (seaweed) as discussed in the Court of Inquiry. But her datum is right in the middle of the Caribbean, having passed through Mona Passage and was supposed to be on a course of 243 degrees taking her directly to the Panama Canal.	View courtesy of Google Earth. Text courtesy of Douglas E. Campbell, Ph.D. President & CEO Syneca Research Group, Inc. & mersfoundation.org.
	304k	A view of the Dorado (SS-248) at a fitting-out pier where technicians install interior equipment. Note the ship's bell. PDF on the Summer 2007 expedition on the search for the Dorado (SS-248).	Photo from the Photo Essay How To Build A Submarine at Electric Boat Co. New London, Conn. Photographer: Bernard Hoffman, courtesy of Life. PDF courtesy of Dr. Douglas Camp.
0824829	122k	WHO ARE YOU? The most important question in the world when two ships meet in time of war. A signalman mans the blinker while a lookout glues his eyes to his glasses in an attempt to identify the silhouette of the stranger. If the answer does not come quickly enough, or proves unsatisfactory, orders will be immediately given either to crash-dive or man the deck gun. Fire away! Buy extra bonds," by Georges Schreiber, Oil on board, 1944. Color poster of two sailors on a Navy ship at sea. One sailor, Signalman First Class, Richard Holbrook Becker, is using a search light and the other, Torpedoman's Mate, Third Class Guy William Liggett, is looking through binoculars. The sailors wear blue jackets and knitted "watch caps". A U.S. flag can be seen on the ship deck below. "In memory, U.S.S. Dorado"--At upper left corner of picture. By the end of the war 85 million Americans had invested in war bonds. The 5th war loan campaign began on 12 June 1944 with a goal of $16 billion. When this campaign ended on 8 July 1944, $20.6 billion worth of bonds had been sold. In the upper left corner of this poster is a reference to the Dorado (SS-248). It is very possible that these 2 men were on duty on the deck of the *Dorado* when she encountered her demise as seen here.	Text and photo courtesy of the Illinois State Library, library.uiuc.edu. Poster published by the United States Government Printing Office, United States Treasury Department War Finance Division, entitled *"Fire Away"* by Georges Schreiber, Oil on board, 1944. Insert PDF Image and text provided by University of Maryland, College Park, MD. Photo from The Midland Journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 30 June 1944, Image 5, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.