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

(1969) Vol. 4, p.2.





L-6



SS-45

Displacement:

	Surfaced:  456 t.

	Submerged:  524 t.

Length:  165’

Beam:  14’9”

Draft:  13’3”

Speed:  

	Surfaced:  14 k.

	Submerged:  10.5 k.

Complement:  28

Armament:  1 3”; 4 18” torpedo tubes

Class:  L-5



	L-6 (SS-45) was laid down 27 May 1914 by Craig 

Shipbuilding Co., Long Beach, Calif.; launched 31 August 

1916; sponsored by Mrs. William R. Monroe; and commissioned 

7 December 1917, Lt. H. B. Berry in command.



	After exercises along the west coast, L-6 departed 

Pacific waters 20 April 1918, arriving Charleston, S.C., 10 

June.  Following a brief overhaul, the submarine patrolled 

off Charleston until she sailed 15 October for the eastern 

Atlantic.  Arriving Ponta Delgada, Azores, in early 

November, L-6 joined Submarine Division 6 just prior to the 

signing of the Armistice 11 November.



	After making stops in Caribbean and Central American 

ports, L-6 arrived San Pedro, Calif., 14 February 1919, 

completing one of the best long-distance seagoing 

performances of America's youthful submarine force.  From 

1919 to 1922, she remained on the west coast, experimenting 

with new torpedoes and undersea detection equipment.  L-6 

was placed in commission, in ordinary, 24 March 1922; 

returned to full commission 1 July; and sailed for the east 

coast the same month.  Upon arrival Hampton Roads, L-6 

decommissioned 25 November 1922, and was sold to M. Samuel & 

Sons 21 December 1925 for scrapping.





Transcribed by Michael Hansen

mhansen2@home.com