>From the “Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships,” 

(1968) Vol. 3, p.581.





K-3



SS-34

Displacement:

	Surfaced:  392 t.

	Submerged:  521 t.

Length:  153’7”

Beam:  16’8”

Draft:  13’1”

Speed:  

	Surfaced:  14 k.

	Submerged:  10.5 k.

Complement:  28

Armament:  4 18” torpedo tubes

Class:  K-3



	During construction, ORCA (SS-34) was renamed K-3 17 

November 1911 and launched 14 March 1914 by Union Iron 

Works, San Francisco, Calif.; sponsored by Mrs. Clarence 

Meigs Oddie and commissioned 30 October 1914, Lt. F. T. Chew 

in command.



	K-3 joined the 3d Submarine Division, Pacific Torpedo 

Flotilla 11, December 1914 and operated along the California 

coast developing underwater warfare tactics and coordinating 

the use of underseas craft with the fleet.  She arrived in 

Hawaiian waters 14 October 1915 to perform similar exercises 

in the light of increasing emphasis on submarine warfare.



	America's entry into World War I placed a greater 

urgency on the need for experienced submariners, and K-3 was 

dispatched to Key West, arriving 8 January 1918.  For the 

remainder of the war, she conducted patrols along the 

Florida coast while training men in underwater techniques.  

K-3 continued operations along the East Coast after the war, 

testing new devices such as listening gear, storage 

batteries and torpedoes.  On 7 November 1922, the submarine 

arrived Hampton Roads and decommissioned there 20 February 

1923.  She was scrapped 3 June 1931.





Transcribed by Michael Hansen

mhansen2@home.com