The K-class, although similar to the preceding H-class, were slightly larger. This followed a design trend by Electric Boat of simply scaling up a previous design to meet new performance requirements.[1] In this design EB eliminated the watertight bulkheads that made the control room a separate space. The forward battery, control room, and after battery were one large space.[2] The small conning tower was surrounded by a streamlined fairwater, there was no enclosed bridge for surface operations. Later, a pipe-frame and canvas bridge structure would be erected atop of the fairwater to serve as a makeshift bridge. Since USN tactical doctrine of the time did not emphasize "crash dives", the considerable time it took to deploy or dismantle was not seen as a liability.[3] Experience in World War I showed that this removable bridge was inadequate in the North Atlantic weather, and other submarines serving overseas in that war (E-class, the K-class, and the L-class) had their bridge structures augmented with a "chariot" shield on the front of the bridge.
The K-class retained the rotating torpedo tube muzzle cap which was standard on previous classes. The cap was rotated so that two holes would line up with alternate torpedo tubes so that the weapons could be fired.[4]
Service
K-1, K-2, K-5, and K-6 began their careers on the US East Coast and were forward deployed to the Azores in World War I as convoy escorts, where their experience proved valuable in adapting future submarines for surfaced operations in rough weather. The remaining four were stationed on the West Coast early in their careers, but were reassigned to Key West, Florida for training and coastal security patrols in early 1918. All remained on the East Coast following the war for the rest of their careers.
Although considered to be successful submarines, The K-class coastal defence design was quickly overtaken by rapid advances in technology following World War I and were of little use to the USN of the 1920's with its new emphasis on global fleet operations. They were all discarded after only about nine years of service.[5]
Boats in class
The first four were renamed K-1 through K-4 on 17 November 1911 as part of a forcewide redesignation of US submarines.
USS K-1 (SS-32) (formerly USS Haddock) was laid down on 20 February 1912, launched on 3 September 1913 and commissioned on 17 March 1914. The submarine was decommissioned on 7 March 1923 and scrapped in 1931.[6]
USS K-2 (SS-33) (formerly USS Cachalot) was laid down on 20 February 1912, launched on 4 October 1913 and commissioned on 31 January 1914. The submarine was decommissioned on 9 March 1923 and scrapped in 1931.[7]
USS K-3 (SS-34) (formerly USS Orca) was laid down on 15 January 1912, launched on 14 March 1914 and commissioned on 30 October 1914. The submarine was decommissioned on 20 February 1923 and scrapped in 1931.[8]
USS K-4 (SS-35) (formerly USS Walrus) was laid down on 27 January 1912, launched on 19 March 1914 and commissioned on 24 October 1914. The submarine was decommissioned on 10 May 1923 and scrapped in 1931.[9]
USS K-5 (SS-36) was laid down on 10 June 1912, launched on 17 March 1914 and commissioned on 22 August 1914. The submarine was decommissioned on 20 February 1923 and scrapped in 1931.[10]
USS K-6 (SS-37) was laid down on 19 June 1912, launched on 26 March 1914 and commissioned on 9 September 1914. The submarine was decommissioned on 21 May 1923 and scrapped in 1931.[11]
USS K-7 (SS-38) was laid down on 10 May 1912, launched on 20 June 1914 and commissioned on 1 December 1914. The submarine was decommissioned on 12 February 1923 and scrapped in 1931.[12]
USS K-8 (SS-39) was laid down on 10 May 1912, launched on 11 July 1914 and commissioned on 1 December 1914. The submarine was decommissioned on 24 February 1923 and scrapped in 1931.[13]
