S-48 sank in Long Island Sound while conducting a test dive during builder's sea trials prior to being commissioned. A hatch cover on one of the after ballast tanks had not been properly secured, and several after compartments flooded, bringing the S-48 to rest in some 60 feet of water. The crew was able to raise the bow to the surface, and escape. Repairs required some 10 months of additional work. The S-48 was finally commissioned on 14 October, 1922.
No men lost.
(U.S. Navy DANFS 6:210)
Continue to next submarine, S-38
(SS-143)
The S-48 bears the distinction of being the only U.S. submarine to be involved in two serious accidents under the definition of this study. The second accident, a grounding, ocurred on 29 January, 1924, and is covered later in this study.
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This page last updated on 6 September, 1998.