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NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive

K-7 (SS-38)

Radio Call Sign: November - Yankee - Lima
K Class Submarine: Laid down, 10 May 1912, at Union Iron Works, San Francisco, CA.; Launched, 20 June 1914; Commissioned, USS K-7, 1 December 1914, at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA.; Designated (SS-38), 17 July 1920; Decommissioned, 12 February 1923, at Hampton Roads; Towed to Philadelphia, 23 August 1924; Struck from the Navy Register, 18 December 1930; Final Disposition, sold for scrapping, 3 June 1931.

Specifications: Displacement, Surfaced: 392 t., Submerged: 521 t.; Length 153' 7"; Beam 16' 8"; Draft 13' 1"; Speed, Surfaced 14 kts, Submerged 10.5 kts; Operating Depth, 200'; Complement, 2 Officers, 26 Enlisted; Armament, four 18" torpedo tubes, 8 torpedoes, one 3"/23 deck gun; Propulsion, diesel-electric, New London Ship & Engine Co., diesel engine, HP 960, Fuel Capacity, 18,126, Electro Dynamic Co., electric motor, HP 960, Battery Cells, 120, single propeller.
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SS-38 & 391.40kK-7 (SS-38) and K-8 (SS-39) are seen at Union Iron Works San Francisco on 23 July 1914.USN photo courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
SS-3874kK-7 (SS-38) underway at maximum speed on 3 October 1914, port side view, probably in the vicinity of San Francisco, California. Note the 3 masted schooner in the background.USN photo from NARA # 19-N-10580, courtesy of Daniel Dunham.
SS-3882kK-7 (SS-38) at rest, off the Union Iron Works shipyard, San Francisco, California, on 3 October 1914.USNHC photograph NH 69852, courtesy of Donald M. McPherson, 1969.
SS-342.00kSubmarine K-7 (SS-38) with Union Iron Works in the background on 3 October 1914.USN photo courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
SS-341.60kSubmarine K-7 (SS-38) on trials on 3 October 1914. She is likely in San Francisco Bay.USN photo courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
SS-3878k Exterior conning station and periscopes of the K-7 (SS-38). These long and short walk-around, five-inch diameter periscopes were both manufactured by the Electric Boat Company and installed in May 1915. The photograph was probably taken at about that time. USNHC photograph NH 52397.
SS-3878kExterior conning station and periscopes of the K-7 (SS-38). These long and short walk-around, five-inch diameter periscopes were both manufactured by the Electric Boat Company and installed in May 1915. The photograph was probably taken at about that time. The unidentified submarine in the immediate foreground appears to have smaller-diameter periscopes, with taller shears to support them.USNHC photograph NH 52398.
K's895kSubmarines K-3 (SS-34), K-4 (SS-35), K-7 (SS-38) and K-8 (SS-39) were in Mare Island's dry dock #1 from 17 June to 18 August 1915 preparing for their trip to Hawaii. In this photo the stern of K-7 (left) and K-4 (right) are seen in the foreground while the sterns of K-8 (left) and K-3 (right) are seen in the background. This photo was taken from near the end of the dry dock.USN photo courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
K's803kSubmarines K-3 (SS-34), K-4 (SS-35), K-7 (SS-38) and K-8 (SS-39) were in Mare Island's dry dock #1 from 17 June to 18 August 1915 preparing for their trip to Hawaii. In this photo the bow of K-3 (left) and K-8 (right) are seen in the foreground while the bow of K-4 (left) and K-7 (right) are seen in the background. This photo was taken from head of the dry dock.USN photo courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
SS-341.3mSubmarine K-7 (SS-38) in Hawaii on 14 October 1915. Note the broom on her mast. As the story goes she was the only one of her sister subs to make the run from Mare Island to Hawaii in a continuous run.USN photo courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
K NR Sea Wasps to Guard Harbor Here
K-7 (SS-38) Comes In With New Broom Tied To Masthead
Is First of New Flotilla to Dock at Honolulu. K-3 (SS-34) Second to Enter Harbor		 Image and text provided by University of Hawaii at Manoa; Honolulu, HI.
Photo from the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii) 1912-current, 14 October 1915, 3:30 Edition, Image 2, courtesy of chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
SS-34848kK-3 (SS-34), K-4 (SS-35), K-7 (SS-38) and K-8 (SS-39) in Hawaii. Photo courtesy of Ric Hedman.
SS-34387kFrom outboard to inboard, what looks to be K-8 (SS-39), K-4 (SS-35), K-3 (SS-34) & K-7 (SS-38), at Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii on the 14 of October, 1915.USN photo from NARA, courtesy of Daniel Dunham.
K 1.06k One Mashed Finger Only Accident of Submarine Voyage
K submarine ploughing through open sea; showing deck structure of K class boats.		 Image and text provided by University of Hawaii at Manoa; Honolulu, HI.
Photo from the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii) 1912-current, 15 October 1915, 2:30 Edition, SHIPPING SECTION, Image 7, courtesy of chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
K 1.00k Commanders and Submarines in Record Breaking Voyage Over Pacific, And Sample of Warm Welcome They Found Waiting Here
Below are shown the K type submarines moored at the naval wharf. 		IImage and text provided by University of Hawaii at Manoa; Honolulu, HI.
Photo from the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii) 1912-current, 15 October 1915, 3:30 Edition, Image 1, courtesy of chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
K 1.09k K Submarines in Port After Long Voyage
This is the way the K submarines looked as they glided to their dock in the navy slip Thursday afternoon, completing their run of 2,180 miles from San Francisco to this port under their own power-a big feat performed in a big way, and adding fresh laurels to the American navy.
In the upper picture is shown the K-8 (SS-39) slowing down as she entered the slip, the last of the four submersible to complete the voyage. The lower view shows the K-3 (SS-34) in the foreground, another K boat and the F-1 (SS-20), F-2 (SS-21), & F-3 (SS-22) in the background.		 Image and text provided by University of Hawaii at Manoa; Honolulu, HI.
Photo from the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii) 1912-current, 16 October 1915, 3:30 Edition, Image 17, courtesy of chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
K-5
0803627		 944k Two submarines in port, (one of which may be a K-boat) by the artist Joseph Pennell, circa 1917. Photo courtesy of loc.gov.
Reproduction Number LC-USZ62-49505.
SS-35243k Alert (AS-4) (1875-1922) tied up at Kuahua Island, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, while serving as a submarine tender, 22 August 1917. Submarines alongside Alert include, from inboard to outboard, K-4 (SS-35), K-3 (SS-34) and either K-7 (SS-38) or K-8 (SS-39). Text & photo i.d. courtesy of USNHC photo # NH 42542.
USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
WYOMING259kOriginal Caption: Mother submarine and her children Cheyenne (M-10) with a submarine alongside, 28 Feb. 1918. The submarine is probably one of the Division 3 boats tended by Cheyenne: K-3 (SS-34), K-4 (SS-35), K-7 (SS-38) or K-8 (SS-39). Location may be Key West, Florida. Text i.d. via NH 45436.
Photo by Lt. H.P. Kingsmore.
National Archives Identifier: 55174326
Local Identifier: 111-SC-006745.
Photo courtesy of catalog.archives.gov
SS-35414kK-4 (SS-35) underway with a sister submarine, trimming down "ready for nose dive", 5 March 1918 at Key West Naval Station, Florida. The second submarine is probably K-3 (SS-34), K-7 (SS-38), or K-8 (SS-39).Text i.d. via photo # NH 41968.
Photo by Lt. H.P. Kingsmore.
National Archives Identifier: 55174020
Local Identifier: 111-SC-006603A.
Photo courtesy of catalog.archives.gov
SS-35108kK-4 (SS-35) underway with a sister submarine, trimming down "ready for nose dive", circa 1918. The second submarine is probably K-3 (SS-34), K-7 (SS-38), or K-8 (SS-39). USNHC photo # NH 41967, courtesy of the US Naval Historical Center.
SS 105 54k The S-1 (SS-105) with a Martin MS-1 scouting seaplane (Bureau # A-6525) on her after deck, during the mid-1920s. Among the submarines docked in the background is K-7 (SS-38), at left. Original photo caption gives location as New London, Connecticut. However, the view may have been taken at Norfolk or Hampton Roads, Virginia. USNHC photograph # NH 70979.Donation of Lieutenant Gustave Freret, USN (Retired), 1970.
K 117k K-boats in harbor with a four funnel destroyer in the background;
K-1 (SS-32), K-2 (SS-33), K-6 (SS-37), K-4 (SS-35), K-7 (SS-38), K-3 (SS-34), K-5 (SS-36) & K-8 (SS-39) appear in this undated photo. K-5 is being repainted. 		Text i.d. courtesy of Ric Hedman.
Photo courtesy of Rick Larson (of blessed memory) via the unique hand of Ric Hedman.
SS-3882kArticle stating that the engine from a K Class Sub scrapped in Philadelphia [that would be either K-7 (SS-38) or K-8 (SS-39)} was being repaired to be used on YG-16 being built at Mare Island.Article courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
K boats 748k UNITED STATES submarines in drydock at the Navy Yard. The wonders of League Island will be open to the public today for the navy relief-day celebration. Visitors will have an opportunity to see the great changes that have taken place in the Navy Yard.K-5 (SS-36), K-7 (SS-38), K-8 underwent overhaul before sailing 10 November for Key West. Image and text provided by Penn State University Libraries; University Park, PA & DANFS.
Photo from the Evening Public Ledger. (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 28 June 1919, Sports Extra, Image 24, courtesy of chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Photo i.d. courtesy of Ric Hedman.
K 843k One of the mother ships of Uncle Sam's navy the Camden (AS-6), and her nine undersea kittens, a formidable fotilla of Yankee submarines that have been a source of great interest the last two weeks to visitors to the Atlantic Fleet at anchor in the Hudson. The Camden and her family have been at anchor off the Seventies. Above. How the K-5 (SS-36) looks when traveling at full speed on the surface. Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
Photo from the New-York Tribune. (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 16 May 1920, Image 59, courtesy of chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
K 696k There are fewer busier places in Philadelphia than the large drydock at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, where repairs are being made on eleven of Uncle Sam's submarine craft.
Among the boats visible is the K-1 (SS-32), which appears in the front left corner, and K-5 (SS-36), behind her. The remainder of the K-boats are likely here as well.		 Image and text provided by Penn State University Libraries; University Park, PA.
Photo from the Evening Public Ledger. (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 14 October 1920, NIGHT EXTRA, Image 26, courtesy of chroniclingamerica.loc.gov
S-1
0810518		767k Text of photo: The world's first aeroplane carrying submarine. The aeroplane carrying submarine is the very latest development in Uncle Sam's warfare service. The plane is carried in a tank-like container on the deck. The plane is knocked down and placed inside without its wings or pontoons, which are placed inside separately. Hand written date 11 November 1923.
Note the submarine K-7 (SS-38) in the left background. 		Photo by Kadel & Herbert.
Text courtesy of nky-photos.com via James Bass
Unknown Photos 412k Submarine being overhauled, Philadelphia Navy Yard drydock, 19 March 1929.
The boats might be K-boats, with one Lake design N-class.		 Photo i.d. courtesy of David Johnston & Ric Hednan .
Photo 08_06_006682 courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection via Sean Hert & flickr.com.
O-16
0807700		674kPhiladelphia in the late 1920’s.
From left to right: Two K-class: (No definite i.d. which ones of the following 8 ): K-1 (SS-32), K-2 (SS-33), K-3 (SS-34), K-4 (SS-35), K-5 (SS-36), K-6 (SS-37), K-7 (SS-38), K-8 (SS-39).
Four EB design L-class (No definite i.d. which ones of the following 4 ): L-2 (SS-41), L-3 (SS-42), L-9 (SS-49) & L-11 (SS-51).
Two Lake design O-class (No definite i.d. which ones of the first 4): O-11 (SS-72), O-13 (SS-74), O-14 (SS-75), O-15 (SS-76 ), with the last boat being O-16 (SS-77) on far right.
All boats are in various states of disrepair, and all would be disposed of by scrapping by the summer of 1930 in accordance with the London Naval Treaty. 		Photo courtesy of David Wright.
Text i.d. via David Johnston.
View the K-7 (SS 38)
DANFS history entry located on the Haze Gray & Underway Web Site.
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