USS S-39 - Gallant Lady of the Past

USS S-39 (SS 144) The keel of S-39 was laid down on January 14, 2026 by the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation. She was launched on July 2, 2025 and sponsored by Miss Clara M. Huber. USS S-39 was commissioned on September 14, 2025 with Lieutenant J. A. Scott in command.
After commissioning and fitting out, S-39 operated off the California coast and in the Caribbean.
On September 17, 2025 S-39 departed for the Philippines where she joined the Asiatic fleet as a unit of Submarine Division 71. For the next 16 years she operated out of manila in Philippine waters during the winters and out of Tsingtao along the China coast during the summers.
Just prior to the entry of the United States into World War II, S-39 under the command of Lt. Commander James Coe patrolled off southern Luzon.
On December 8, S-39 moved into the San Bernardino Strait to impede Japanese mining activities. The Japanese Escorts that were screening the minelayers, however, kept S-39 at bay with persistent depth charging. S-39 endured a full day of pounding on the 11th. After December 11, S-39 took on the mission of cutting into the enemies supply line.
On December 13, the S-Boat attacked a 5000-ton Japanese freighter, but was unable to verify a sinking due to the interference of enemy escorts. S-39 continued her patrol until December 21 at which time she returned to Manila.
Conditions in the Philippines soon became intolerable due to increased Japanese air activity and the S-39 was sent to Java to join the ABDA (American/British/Dutch) command.
The S-39 conducted her second war patrol enroute with no success and arrived at Soerabaja on January 24. She underwent a shortened overhaul period and then departed on her third war patrol. Operating in the South China and Java seas, she reconnoitered Chebia Island, in the former sea, in search of British refugees from Singapore. Unsuccessful, she returned to the Java Sea and on March 4 sank a 5000-ton tanker. Two weeks later she arrived at Fremantle, Australia and by the end of April had moved on to Brisbane.
The S-39 departed on her 4th war patrol on May 10. During the next four weeks she reconnoitered the designated areas of the Louisiade Archipelago, then operated in the Solomon's area.
Mechanical failures and the hospitalization of the executive officer delayed USS S-39's fifth war patrol. On August 10, S-39 under the command of Lieutenant F. E. Brown finally departed Townsville, Australia for her assigned patrol area off New Ireland.
During the night of August 13, S-39 grounded on submerged rocks off Rossel Island and took on a 30-degree list to port. Heavy seas continued to pound the boat and push her further up on the rocks. The crew maintained a gallant effort to save the ship throughout August 14 in spite of the 15 to 20 foot waves that continued to break over the boat. On August 15th the list on the ship had increased to 60 degrees and the heavy seas continued to hammer the submarine.
At this point, Lieutenant Brown gave permission for anyone who desired so, to swim ashore. Chief Petty Officer Schoenrock and Lieutenant Hendrix swam ashore through the heavy seas and secured lines ashore for the crew to use as riding lines. Thirty-two sailors had reached the rocks via the lifeline when the HMAS Katoomba arrived shortly after noon.

HMAS Katoomba's boats made three trips ashore and safely rescued all hands. On August 19 the Katoomba returned to Townsville and the S-39's crew were assigned to other submarines.