AH-WR-0230

USS S-27

Submarine · United States · Lost 1942 · The Aleutians & the Bering Sea

An old S class submarine that ran aground in Aleutian fog in June 1942 and was abandoned without loss of life.

Artistic recreation based on recorded historical documents. See the documented evidence.

Documented Likeness. Drawn from surviving builder's plans or clear photographs of this vessel. See the documented evidence.

The Vessel and Her Loss

USS S-27 was a First World War design submarine still in service when Japan moved into the western Aleutians in 1942. Patrolling off Amchitka Island in dense fog on 19 June she was carried onto a reef while charging batteries. Efforts to work her free failed and she flooded aft. The whole crew reached shore, destroyed the boat's confidential material, and was flown out days later; the submarine was written off.

Vessel

Built: 1922
Registry: SS-132
Builder: Not established
Yard: Not established
Material: Steel
Length: 219 ft
Beam: 20 ft
Tonnage: Not established
Propulsion: Diesel-electric
Owners: United States Navy

Loss

Date: June 19, 1942
Cause: Grounding
Location: Off Amchitka Island, Aleutian Islands
Water: Bering Sea and North Pacific, Aleutian Islands
Voyage: Not established
Cargo: Not established
Aboard: Not established
Lives lost: 0
Master: Not established

The Wreck Today

Depth: Not established
Condition: Not established
Orientation: Not established
Discovered: Not established
Protection: United States Navy property; sunken military craft

Position

Coordinates: 51.37° N 179.20° E
Accuracy: Approximate position
Nearest: Amchitka Island, Alaska
Region: The Aleutians & the Bering Sea

USS S-27 grounded on rocks off St. Makarius Point on the south side of Amchitka Island on 19 June 1942, per NavSource and uboat.net; coordinates given are for the charted location of St. Makarius (Makarius) Point/Bay, since no separate wreck-site fix was found.

Evidence

Overall confidence: Partially documented (68/100)

The wreck position, depth and present condition are not established in the sources reviewed.

Naval History and Heritage Command, Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
Construction, loss date, circumstances of grounding, rescue of the crew.
NavSource Online, SS-132 S-27
loss location
USGS GNIS via MyTopo, Makarius Bay
place-name coordinates