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

(1969) Vol. 4, p.3.





L-9



SS-49

Displacement:

	Surfaced:  450 t.

	Submerged:  548 t.

Length:  167’5”

Beam:  17’5”

Draft:  13’7”

Speed:  

	Surfaced:  14 k.

	Submerged:  10.5 k.

Complement:  28

Armament:  1 3”; 4 18” torpedo tubes

Class:  L-1



	L-9 was laid down 2 November 1914 by Fore River 

Shipbuilding Co., Quincy, Mass.; launched 27 October 1915; 

sponsored by Miss  Heather Pattison Baxter; and commissioned 

4 August 1916, Lt. (j.g.) P. T. Wright in command.



	Assigned to the Atlantic Submarine flotilla, L-9 

operated along the Atlantic coast until April 1917 

developing new techniques of undersea warfare.



	Following America's entry into World War I, submarines 

were needed to protect Allied shipping lanes to Europe.  

After an extensive overhaul, preparing her for the task 

ahead, L-9 departed Portsmouth, Va., 17 January 1918 and 

arrived Bantry Bay, Ireland, 21 February.  She remained in 

British waters throughout the war, and, although she sank no 

enemy submarines, L-9 and sister submarines were effective 

in hampering German U-boat operations.



	After the Armistice 11 November, L-9 operated out of 

Portland, England, until she sailed 3 January 1919 for the 

United States.  Arriving Philadelphia 1 February, the 

submarine operated along the Atlantic coast for the next 4 

years developing submarine warfare tactics.  L-9 

decommissioned at Hampton Roads, Va., 4 May 1923 and was 

scrapped 28 November 1933.





Transcribed by Michael Hansen

mhansen2@home.com