USS Salmon (D-3) SS-19 (1910-1922)
With a displacement of 288 tons and a length of 134 feet, 10 inches, the USS Salmon was the third submarine of the D-class built for the U.S. Navy. Like other subs of this class, she could hold 15 officers and crewmen and travel at a maximum speed of 13 knots, or 15 miles per hour. Sponsored by Miss R. Fitzgerald, the Salmon was launched on March 12, 1910, and commissioned on September 8 under the command of Lieutenant D.G. Weaver.
Service as a Training Sub
The submarine was renamed the USS D-3 on November 17, 1911. With this new designation, she became a part of the Atlantic Torpedo Fleet based out of Newport. The fleet toured Caribbean waters from October 17, 1912, to January 20, 1913, but the D-3 remained near Mexico after that to assist with the aftermath of the occupation of Vera Cruz. By June of 1914, she had rejoined her fleet, accompanying them to Washington, D.C., in July.
In 1917, the D-3 was named flagship of Submarine Division 2, in which capacity she trained crew and officers at Newport and New London, Connecticut, for two years. After being placed in reserve commission, she was taken in for repairs in July of 1919. However, she would never see combat.
After Service
The submarine was towed to Philadelphia Navy Yard on March 20, 1922, for her decommissioning. At the end of July of that year, she was sold for scrap.
Asbestos in Navy Ships
Although an essential component of the naval fleet, especially throughout conflicts of the last century, submarines also pose a lasting health risk to soldiers serving on them. However, these risks extend beyond the inherent dangers that existed while operating the vessels during military conflicts. Unfortunately, products containing asbestos were also common aboard submarines because of the material’s high resistance to heat and fire. Despite its value as an insulator, asbestos fiber intake can lead to several serious health consequences, including mesothelioma, a devastating cancer without cure. Furthermore, the enclosed environment of submarines put servicemen at an even higher risk of exposure. Current and former military personnel who came into contact with or served on submarines should seek immediate medical attention in order to detect possible health consequences associated with asbestos exposure.
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