Rescue of S-39
13-16 AUGUST 1942
RESCUE OF S-39
The 51 submarines of our S-class represented one of our most prolific post-WWI classes. Built between 1917-1920, their technology was shortly eclipsed during a time of rapid advancements in submersible design. The “Sugar” boats remained in service nevertheless, S-39 (SS-144) being assigned to our Asiatic Fleet, with whom she split her time between Manila and Tsingtao, China. With the December 7th attack on Pearl Harbor, our far Pacific S-boats were pressed into combat service despite their outdated technology. On December 8th, S-39 was sent from Manila to the San Bernardino Strait, where she sank a 5000-ton freighter on the 13th.
By the spring of 1942 the overwhelming Japanese onslaught had pushed those few remaining US warships first to Java, then to Australia. On August 10, S-39 left Brisbane under her new skipper LT Francis E. Brown, to patrol in the Coral Sea near the Louisiade Islands (off eastern tip of Papua/New Guinea). Here, upon rounding Rossel Island at 0220 on the night of 13-14 August, S-39, lacking a fathometer, ran up on submerged rocks in heavy seas. The ebbing tide settled her to a 35° port list while 15-20-foot waves crashed over her. Brown jettisoned fuel, blew the ballast tanks, and ordered emergency aback–but to no avail. With high tide the following morning, more fuel was dumped and the four Mark 10 torpedoes in her bow tubes were deactivated and fired to lighten her bows. Not only did this fail, but heavy waves that day pushed the boat further onto the reef and turned her broadside to the seas. Now in dire straits with her batteries drained, the ballast tanks ruptured and she fell to a 60° list. Brown allowed anyone who wanted to attempt a swim to shore, but only LT C.N.G. Hendrix and Chief Commissary Steward W.L. Schoenrock jumped overboard, hauling lines to the shore. And using these riding lines, 32 of Brown’s 44-man crew safely reached the beach. Brown and the rest remained aboard to struggle on.
On this day, the Australian Navy corvette HMAS KATOOMBA arrived to assist. By now S-39 had been badly beaten, too damaged for salvage. All 44 of S-39’s crewmen were brought aboard and KATOOMBA turned back toward Australia on the 16th. The submarine was left to the seas that shortly completed her destruction.
Stirrings of a court-martial for Brown circulated among the COMSUBPAC staff. However, RADM Ralph Christie appreciated Brown’s pluck and persistence. Rather than censure, Brown was returned to command of S-43 (SS-154). He later commanded S-44 (SS-155) as well. And it was aboard this latter that Brown lost his life on 26 September 1943 when S-44 was sunk by the escort frigate IJN ISHIGAKI in Alaskan waters.
Watch for more “Today in Naval History” 20 AUG 24
CAPT James Bloom, Ret.
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