Please report any broken links or trouble you might come across to the Webmaster.
Please take a moment to let us know so that we can correct any problems and make your visit as enjoyable and as informative as possible.

NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive
Contributed by Mike Smolinski

V-3 (SF-6)
Bonita (SS-165)

Radio Call Sign: November - India - Charlie - Sierra,
Barracuda Class Submarine: Laid down, 16 November 1921, at Portsmouth Navy Yard, Kittery, Maine; Launched, 9 June 1925; Commissioned USS V-3 (SF-6), 22 May 1926; Renamed Bonita, 9 March 1931; Reclassified (SS-165), 1 July 1931; Decommissioned, 4 June 1937, at Philadelphia, Navy Yard, Philadelphia, PA.; Recommissioned, 5 September 1940, at Submarine Base New London, CT.; Decommissioned, 3 March 1945, at Philadelphia Navy Yard, Philadelphia, PA.; Struck from the Naval Register, 10 March 1945; Final Disposition, sold for scrapping, 28 October 1945.

Specifications: Displacement, Surfaced: 2,000 t., Submerged: 2620 t.; Length 341' 6"; Beam 27' 7"; Draft 14' 7"; Speed, surfaced 21 kts, Submerged 8 kts; Depth Limit 200'; Complement, 6 officers, 50 enlisted; Armament, six 21" torpedo tubes, four forward, two aft, 12 torpedoes; one 5"/51 deck gun; Propulsion, Busch-Sulzer Diesel Engine Co., diesel engines, hp 4100; Fuel Capacity, 90,935 gal., Elliot Motor Co., electric motors, hp 2400, Battery Cells 120, twin propellers.
Click On Image
For Full Size		Size Image Description Source
SS 165 350k 3 photo PDF V-3 (SS-165) Compartment Access. National Archives Identifier: 70646216
Photo courtesy of catalog.archives.gov
SS 165 97k Ship's Sponsor, Mrs. Louis R. DeSteiguer, with the Sponsor's bouquet. Photographed at the Portsmouth Navy Yard, Kittery, Maine, at the time of V-3's (SS-165) launching, 9 June 1925. At left is the Navy Yard's Commandant, Captain Douglas E. Dismukes. USN photo # NH 56509, from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.
SS 165 94k Ship's Sponsor, Mrs. Louis R. DeSteiguer, at the Portsmouth Navy Yard, Kittery, Maine, during V-3's (SS-165) launching ceremonies, 9 June 1925. The Navy Yard's Commandant, Captain Douglas E. Dismukes, is holding the christening bottle. USN photo # NH 56510, from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.
SS 165 90k Launching of the V-3 (SS-165) at the Portsmouth Navy Yard, Kittery, Maine, 9 June 1925. USN photo # NH 56505, from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.
SS 165 102k V-3 (SS-165) enters the water during her launching, at the Portsmouth Navy Yard, Kittery, Maine, 9 June 1925. USN photo # NH 56506, from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.
SS 165 92k V-3 (SS-165) being assisted by tugs, immediately after her launching, at the Portsmouth Navy Yard, Kittery, Maine, 9 June 1925. Tug at right is the M. Mitchell Davis. USN photo # NH 56507, from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.
SS 165 99k V-3 (SS-165) being assisted by tugs, immediately after her launching, at the Portsmouth Navy Yard, Kittery, Maine, 9 June 1925. Tug at right is the M. Mitchell Davis. USN photo # NH 56508, from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.
SS 165 150k V-3 (SS-165) being assisted by tugs, immediately after her launching, at the Portsmouth Navy Yard, Kittery, Maine, 9 June 1925. Tug at right is the M. Mitchell Davis. USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
SS 165 95k V-3 (SS-165), at Portsmouth, New Hampshire Navy Yard undergoing submergence tests, 12 June 1926. USN photo courtesy of ussubvetsofworldwarii.org.
SS 153 100k Submarines at Coco Solo, Panama Canal Zone, 1926.
These boats are:
S-44 (SS-155);
V-3 (SS-165) and
S-42 (SS-153).
Photo courtesy of the Naval Historical Foundation. Collection of Lieutenant O.E. Wightman.
USN photo # NH 80598, from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.
R-24 134k PDF entitled "How the Diesel engine came to America."
On 05/22/26 they were installed on the V-3 (SS-165). 		Photo courtesy of subvetpaul.com.
SS 165 418k V-3 (SS-165) in Boston Navy Yard, Old Ironsides in rear. Photo courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection via Sean Hert & flickr.com.
SS 165 248k V-3 (SS-165) brings aboard a boat with the help of her crane. Photo courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection via Sean Hert & flickr.com.
V-3
0816519		756kTwo crewmen fold the flag near the V-3's (SS-165) bell as the boat is tied up.Photo 08_06_006594, courtesy of digitalcommonwealth.org via the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection.
SS 165 168k V-3 (SS-165) circa the later 1920s, with one of her boats labeled V-3 tied up to her starboard side. USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
SS 163-64 & 65 154k Battleship Maryland (BB-46);
Submarine Tender Camden (AS-6);
two unknown S-boats; and
two V-1 class submarines, possibly
Barracuda (SS-163),
Bass (SS-164) and or
Bonita (SS-165) in port in May 1927.
Note the tremendous difference in size between the S-boats and V-1 class submarines. 		Photo # NH 46418 courtesy of the U.S. Naval Historical Center.
SS 163, 164 & 165 113k V-1 class submarines alongside Argonne (AS-10), at San Diego, California, 10 December 1927. The submarines are (from left to right):
Bass (SS-164);
Barracuda (SS-163) and
Bonita (SS-165). 		Courtesy of the San Francisco Maritime Museum, San Francisco, California, 1969. USN photo # NH 69094, from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.
Squadron 20 76k From left to right; S-43 (SS-154), V-1 (SS-163), V-3 (SS-165) & Argonne (AS-10) at the sub base in Coco Solo, Panama Canal Zone. Between December 1927 and May 1932 V-1, served with Squadron 20 on routine operations with the fleet along the west coast, in the Hawaiian Islands, and in the Caribbean. USN photo courtesy of Robert M. Cieri. Partial text courtesy of DANFS.
SS 163, 164 & 165 129k Argonne (AS-10) in Panama waters, 1927-1928, while en route to join the Battle Fleet. The submarines alongside her are (from outboard to inboard): The submarines are (from left to right):
Bass (SS-164);
Barracuda (SS-163) and
Bonita (SS-165). 		USN photo # NH 61683, from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.
Argonaut 202k Crew of a Barracuda class (SS-163/5) gather on deck for a group picture at Pearl Harbor prior to 1928. The Barracudas had their 5"/51 cal guns replaced in 1928 with smaller 3"/50's. She still has the larger 5"/51 cal gun. The crew is seated on the forward gun deck and the gun itself is raised to its max elevation to give the crew the room to gather. To the right of the boat is the submarine Narwhal (SS-167). Text courtesy of David Johnston Photo i.d. courtesy of Dave Decrevel, John Hart, Ric Hedman & David Johnston
Photo courtesy of Doug Sheley via flickr.com.
Argonaut65k Gunnery exercises with a Barracuda class (SS-163/5) submarine.
This photo was originally thought to be the Argonaut (SS-166). However, the configuration of the port and starboard running lights and the tall posts on the deck just aft of the fairwater rule this out. These are Kingposts used for hoisting the small boats out of their housing on the after deck. These kingposts were not present on the Argonaut. This is a Barracudas class boat and was taken prior to 1928. The Barracudas had their 5"/51 cal guns replaced in 1928 with smaller 3"/50's. She still has the larger 5"/51 cal gun. 		Text courtesy of David Johnston Photo i.d. courtesy of Dave Decrevel, John Hart, Ric Hedman, John Hummel & David Johnston
USNHC photograph # NH 62906, from the collection of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz.
SS 165 903k V-3 (SS-165) berthed at Mare Island on 12 February 1929. S-42 (SS-153) & S-43 (SS-154) are just visible forward of V-3. USN photo # 9206, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
SS 165 117k 11 April 1929 photo of the V-3 (SS-165) in the Mare Island straits after undocking from dry dock 1 at Mare Island. She was in dry dock from 28 March to 11 April 1929. USN photo courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
SS 165 280k The V-3 (SS-165) in dry dock # 1 at Mare Island from the stern, starboard side. She was in dry dock from 28 March to 11 April 1929. USN photo # 9254, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
SS 165 210k Bow view of the V-3 (SS-165) in dry dock # 1 at Mare Island. She was in dry dock from 28 March to 11 April 1929. USN photo # 9258, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
SS 165 416k Stern of the V-3 (SS-165) in flooded dry dock # 1 at Mare Island. She was in dry dock from 28 March to 11 April 1929. The Nautilus (V-6) (SS-168) is on the building ways to the far left just visible under the building ways cantilever crane. USN photo courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
165 139k V-3 (SS-165) & a pretty scene, circa late 20's? USN photo thanks to Jim Kurrasch @ Battleship Iowa, Pacific Battleship Center.
SS 165 972k Interior shots of these boats are exceedingly rare. The bunk room photo is most likely the crew's quarters, the third compartment from the stern, but aft of the engine and maneuvering/motor rooms. It is hard to tell from this photo if the view is aft or forward. It is interesting to note how the bunks in the foreground were triced up. They were mounted to a single stanchion on each end, and held in place by an adjustable c-clamp. To trice up (as shown in the photo), you loosened the nut on the c-clamp, pushed the bunk upwards, then re-tightened the clamp! It resulted in the stacked, "sliced bread" configuration shown. I have not seen this before. The bunks in the background were more conventional in nature and were mounted on a hinge along the inboard side and simply tilted upwards and secured. Photo taken at Mare Island on 11 April 1929. Text i.d. courtesy of David Johnston
USN photo # 9263, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
SS 165 68k V-3 (SS-165) & Holland (AS-3) circa 1930, West Coast. USN photo courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Holland 102k Holland (AS-3) moored at San Diego, CA., circa 1930. Submarines alongside, apparently holding inspection, are (from inboard):
V-3 (SF-6), later Bonita (SS-165);
V-2 (SF-5), later Bass (SS-164);
S-45 (SS-156);
S-43 (SS-154);
S-44 (SS-155); and
S-42 (SS-153); 		USN photo # NH 53437, from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.
SS165 81k V-3 (SS-165) moored to a harbor buoy, prior to 1931. USN photo # NH 56511, from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.
SS 165 61k V-3 (SS-165) at anchor, prior to 1931. USN photo # NH 56512, from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.
SS 165 179k Bonita (SS-165) at sea, with the sun low on the horizon beyond her, circa the early 1930s. Note signalman at work with semaphore flags, atop her superstructure. Source: Naval History and Heritage Command, Photo No. NH 91777 courtesy of Mike Green.
SS 164 & 165 89k Bass (SS-164), outboard and Bonita (SS-165) with civilian visitors on board, at San Francisco, California, May 1932. Note that Bass has a 3"/50 deck gun, while Bonita carries a 5"/51. Also note the retractable embarkation ladder built into Bass's hull amidships.Photographed by Lauzin. USN photo # NH 91778, from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.
SS 164 & 165 119k Bass (SS-164), outboard and Bonita (SS-165) with civilian visitors on board, at San Francisco, California, May 1932. Photographed by Lauzin. Source: Naval History and Heritage Command, Photo No. NH 91779 courtesy of Mike Green.
SS 165 91k V-3 (SS-165) tied up at San Francisco, California, circa the early 1930s. Courtesy of J.A. Casoly. USN photo # NH 56515, from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.
SS 164
0816426		 264k Bass (SS-164) & Bonita (SS-165) are in Mare Island's dry dock one in May 1933. Bass is the to the left and of course Bonita is to the right. This is Bonita's 2nd docking during her overhaul thus her better paint job while this is Bass's first docking during her overhaul. They both undocked on 7 July 1933. Both re-docked on 18 July 1933 until 8 September 1933. HABS No. CA-1543-BP-19., courtesy of Library of Congress via Darryl L. Baker.
SS 164 & 165 333k Bonita (SS-165) meets Alcatraz. USN photo thanks to Jim Kurrasch @ Battleship Iowa, Pacific Battleship Center.
SS 165 & 169 557k Bonita (SS-165) & Dolphin (SS-169) at Balboa, Panama Canal, 1934. Photo i.d. courtesy of David Johnston
Photo by ullstein bild via Getty Image, courtesy of gettyimages.com.
SS 165 81k Bonita (SS-165) off Muir Glacier, Alaska, in July 1934. USN photo # NH 78674, from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.
SS 165 106k Color reproduction of the 1934-vintage Christmas calendar of the Bonita (SS-165) off Muir Glacier, Alaska, in July 1934. USN photo # NH 78674-KN, from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.
Navy Day 78k Commemorative postal cover marking:
Bass (SS-164);
Dolphin (SS-169);
Porpoise (SS-172);
Argonaut (SS-169);
Nautilus (SS-168);
Cuttlefish (SS-171)
Barracuda (SS-163);
Narwhal (SS-167)
Bonita (SS-165); &
Cachalot (SS-170)
on Navy Day, 27 October 1935.
Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
SS 165 332k Bonita (SS-165) underway, circa the middle 1930s. Note that her original 5"/51 deck gun has been replaced with a 3"/50. USN photo # NH 56514, from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.
Winter & Pond 83k Tender and submarines at dock in Juneau, Alaska, July, 1934. At far left, tender Holland (AS-3), submarines (l to r) Bass (SS-164), Bonita (SS-165), Barracuda (SS-163), Nautilus (SS-168) and Narwhal (SS-167). The mill of the Alaska Juneau Gold Mining Company is in the background. Photo by Winter & Pond courtesy of the Alaska State Library. Submitted by Joseph M. Radigan (of blessed memory)
Argonaut417k Holland (AS-3) with seven submarines alongside, in San Diego harbor, California, possibly around 24 December 1934. The submarines are (from left to right):
Cachalot (SS-170);
Dolphin (SS-169);
Barracuda(SS-163);
Bass (SS-164);
Bonita (SS-165);
Nautilus (SS-168); and
Narwhal (SS-167)		USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
SS 165 799k Bonita (SS-165) underway circa 1935, West Coast. She is marked as B-3 on her conning tower. She rejoined Submarine Division 12 in September 1933 and cruised in Caribbean, west coast, and Hawaiian waters through 1936. Photo by CWO4 Cecil Wood USMC, contributed by his son Donald Wood via Gary Priolo.
SS-170,163,164,165,168 & 167 94k Holland (AS-3) in San Diego harbor, California, circa 1935. Submarines alongside are (from outboard to inboard):
Cachalot (SS-170);
Barracuda(SS-163);
Bass (SS-164);
Bonita (SS-165);
Nautilus (SS-168); and
Narwhal (SS-167).
Closest ship in the nest of destroyers at far right is Yarnall (DD-143). 		Photo courtesy of the USNHC, NH # 82789. Photograph from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives.
SS 163 69k Commemorative postal cover marking Valentine's Day, 14 February 1937, issued from the Barracuda (SS-163) and commemorating all the boats in her class:
Bass (SS-164);
Barracuda and
Bonita (SS-165). 		Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
SS 165 18k Commemorative post mark on the occasion of Bonita's (SS-165) last birthday, 22 May 1937, at the Phila. Navy Yard when she was placed out of commission pending being put in reserve at Philadelphia 4 June 1937. Photo courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
SS 165 97k Commemorative post mark on the occasion of Bonita's (SS-165) decommissioning, 4 June 1937. Photo courtesy of Paul Petosky.
SS 165 21k Commemorative post mark on the occasion of Bonita's (SS-165) decommissioning, 4 June 1937. Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
SS 165 18k Commemorative post mark on the occasion of Bonita's (SS-165) recommissioning, 4 October 1940. Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
SS 165 1.00k V-3 (SS-165), underway in 1943. US National Archives photo # 80G-450191, from NARA, College Park, Maryland, courtesy of Sean Hert.
SS 165 511k Port side view of the Bonita (SS-165) underway when she joined Submarine Division 13, Submarine Squadron 1, on training duty out of New London, CT., 13 September 1944. US National Archives photo # 80G-453370, from NARA, College Park, Maryland, courtesy of Sean Hert.
View the V-3 / Bonita (SS-165)
DANFS history entry located on the Haze Gray & Underway
Crew Contact And Reunion Information
U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation
Fleet Reserve Association
Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
Ep-21 (1) - Victory At Sea ~ Full Fathom Five - HQ
PigBoats.COM TM, A Historic Look at Submarines.

Back To The Main Photo Index Back To the Submarine Index
Problems and site related matters, E-mail Webmaster
This page is created and maintained by Michael Mohl
All Pages © 1996 - 2024 NavSource History