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

(1969) Vol. 2, p.313





E-1



SS-24

Displacement:  287 t.

Length:  135’3”

Beam:  14’7”

Draft:  11’8”

Speed:  14 k.

Complement:  20

Armament:  4 18” torpedo tubes

Class:  E



	SKIPJACK (Submarine No. 24) was launched 27 May 1911 by 

Fore River Shipbuilding Co., Quincy, Mass.; sponsored by 

Mrs. D. R. Battles; renamed E-1 on 17 November 1911; and 

commissioned 14 February 1912, Lieutenant Chester W. Nimitz 

in command.  She was reclassified SS-24 on 17 July 1920.



	Six days after commissioning, E-1 sailed from Boston 

for Norfolk via Newport and New York.  Off the Virginia 

Capes, she underwent tests through April.  Her engines were 

overhauled at New London, and she began operations off 

southern New England.  On 28 September, she arrived at New 

York Navy Yard for alterations, repairs, and installation of 

a Sperry gyrocompass, for which she became a pioneer 

underwater test ship.  She also experimented with submerged 

radio transmission.



	E-1 conducted tests of these and other important 

developments under the direction of Commander, Submarine 

Flotilla, Atlantic Fleet, Lieutenant Chester W. Nimitz.  

Throughout his career, the latter played a progressive and 

leading role in the incorporation into the Navy of the vast 

scientific and technological developments of this century, 

many of them pioneered by the Navy.



	On 14 October, E-1 proudly passed in review with the 

fleet in the North River before Secretary of the Navy, 

George von L. Meyer.



	E-1 continued important experimental development and 

training with the Atlantic Fleet for the next 5 years until 

4 December 1917, when she left Newport for the Azores and 

different duty.  From 12 January 1918, she patrolled between 

Ponta Delgada and Horta, protecting the islands from German 

attack and use as a haven by U-boats.  She returned to New 

London, 17 September.  After overhaul, E-1 trained new 

submariners and tested experimental listening gear.



	Placed in commission, in reserve, 20 March 1920, E-1 

arrived at Norfolk, 22 April.  There, she was placed in 

commission, in ordinary, 18 July 1921, and on 17 September 

sailed for Philadelphia, where she was decommissioned 20 

October 1921 and sold 19 April 1922.





Transcribed by Michael Hansen

mhansen2@home.com