Description:

THE SINKING OF THE USS SQUALUS
A fine group of 44 original photographs which richly document the sinking of the USS SQUALUS submarine off the coast of New Hampshire on May 23, 1939. Following a series of successful test dives, SQUALUS suffered a catastrophic valve failure during a test dive off the Isle of Shoals. In a determined rescue operation that utilized the McCann Rescue Chamber for the first time, 33 men of the 59 originally on board were saved. SQUALUS would be recommissioned as USS SAILFISH on May 15, 1940, and went on to join the Asiatic Fleet. She earned the Presidential Unit Citation on Dec. 3, 1943, for sinking the Japanese carrier CHUYO which carried with her 21 survivors from her sister ship, USS SCULPIN. This marked one of only four Japanese escort carriers to be sunk by American submarines in the Pacific War. In her twelfth patrol, SAILFISH participated in another rescue when she rescued 11 Navy aviators who had been forced to ditch their aircraft in the Philippine Seas after making air strikes against Japanese bases on Formosa. SAILFISH returned to Pearl Harbor on Dec. 11, 1944. For her service, SAILFISH earned a total of nine battle stars and the Presidential Unit Citation. Our collection comprises 44 official Navy and other press photographs in various sizes and formats measuring from 13.5 x 8 in. to 9.5 x 4 in. that create a comprehensive narrative the sub's rescue. The images also include those documenting the SQUALUS going down; the salvage barge and Navy tug at the scene of the rescue; a schematic of the hoists used in the rescue; a printed map documenting the site of the rescue, a scene at the memorial at Arlington for crewmembers who perished, and more. Contained with the original manila envelope stamped ‘U.S.S. NAVY SUBMARINE SQUALUS'. Condition varies from good to very good. A wonderful archive!

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November 13, 2025 10:00 AM EST
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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