USS Dolphin Submarine: A Look into its Design and Features

The USS Dolphin submarine was a remarkable vessel in many ways. One of its most notable features was its 3-inch gun, which was chosen due to the fear that larger guns might encourage submarine captains to engage in surface battles against superior anti-submarine ships. This design remained unchanged until World War II, when it became clear that larger guns were needed.

The USS Dolphin also saw significant advancements in electric welding techniques, building upon the pioneering work done by Portsmouth on earlier V-boats. The submarine featured a full double hull, direct-drive diesel-electric propulsion systems, and a separate crew's mess, all of which were adapted from the Kaiserliche Marine's U-135 design.

The USS Dolphin was also notable for its internal layout, which was vastly different from that of later 'fleet submarines.' Cuttlefish was the first submarine built at Electric Boat's facility in Groton, Connecticut, marking a significant shift away from subcontracting construction to other shipyards. The basic design was developed by Paige of the Navy's Bureau of Construction and Repair, while Electric Boat was responsible for the detailed arrangement.

The USS Dolphin underwent extensive testing to determine the optimal submarine size under treaty restrictions, taking into account factors such as total force, endurance, and percentage of the force that could be maintained on station far from a base. This led to the design of medium-sized submarines that were capable of meeting the demands of a Pacific war scenario.

Some notable features of the USS Dolphin included six 21-inch torpedo tubes, 83,290 US gallons of oil fuel, and a crew of seven officers and 48 men in wartime. The submarine was powered by one BuEng MAN auxiliary diesel driving an electrical generator and two BuEng-built, MAN-designed direct drive main diesel engines.

In terms of its physical dimensions, the USS Dolphin measured 60 feet at waterline and 274 feet overall. With a rich history and impressive features, the USS Dolphin remains an important part of naval history.

Uss dolphin submarine