# USS L-1

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**USS *L-1* (SS-40)**, also known as "Submarine No. 40", was an [L-class](/source/United_States_L-class_submarine) [submarine](/source/Submarine) of the [United States Navy](/source/United_States_Navy). She and her [sister boats](/source/Sister_ship) worked on submarine tactics in the [Gulf of Mexico](/source/Gulf_of_Mexico), [Caribbean](/source/Caribbean), and [East Coast](/source/East_Coast_of_the_United_States), prior to sailing to the [Azores](/source/Azores), and later stationed in [Ireland](/source/Ireland), during [WWI](/source/WWI).

## Design

The L-class boats designed by [Electric Boat](/source/Electric_Boat) (*L-1* to *L-4* and *L-9* to *L-11*) were built to slightly different specifications from the other L boats, which were designed by [Lake Torpedo Boat](/source/Lake_Torpedo_Boat), and are sometimes considered a separate class. The Electric Boat submarines had a length of 168 ft 6 in (51.4 m) [overall](/source/Length_overall), a [beam](/source/Beam_(nautical)) of 17 ft 5 in (5.3 m) and a mean [draft](/source/Draft_(ship)) of 13 ft 7 in (4.1 m). They [displaced](/source/Displacement_(ship)) 450 long tons (460 t) on the surface and 548 long tons (557 t) submerged. The L-class submarines had a crew of 28 officers and enlisted men. They had a diving depth of 200 feet (61.0 m).[2]

For surface running, the Electric Boat submarines were powered by two 450-horsepower (336-kilowatt) [diesel engines](/source/Diesel_engine), each driving one [propeller shaft](/source/Propeller_shaft). When submerged each propeller was driven by a 170-horsepower (127-kilowatt) [electric motor](/source/Electric_motor). They could reach 14 kn (26 km/h; 16 mph) on the surface and 10.5 kn (19.4 km/h; 12.1 mph) underwater. On the surface, the boats had a range of 5,150 nmi (9,540 km; 5,930 mi) at 11 kn (20 km/h; 13 mph)[2] and 150 nmi (280 km; 170 mi) at 5 kn (9.3 km/h; 5.8 mph) submerged.[3]

The boats were armed with four [18-inch (450 mm)](/source/American_18_inch_torpedo) [torpedo tubes](/source/Torpedo_tube) in the bow. They carried four reloads, for a total of eight torpedoes. The Electric Boat submarines were initially not fitted with a [deck gun](/source/Deck_gun); a single [3 in (76 mm)/23 caliber](/source/3%22/23_caliber_gun) on a disappearing mount was added during the war.[3]

## Construction

*L-1'*s [keel](/source/Keel) was [laid down](/source/Laid_down) on 13 April 1914, by the [Fore River Shipbuilding Company](/source/Fore_River_Shipbuilding_Company), in [Quincy](/source/Quincy,_Massachusetts), Massachusetts. She was [launched](/source/Ship_naming_and_launching) on 20 January 1915, sponsored by Mrs. Freeland A. Daubin, and [commissioned](/source/Ship_commissioning) on 11 April 1916.[4]

## Service history

### 1916

*L-1* received orders on 5 May 1916, assigning her to Commander, Division Five, Submarine Flotilla, [Atlantic Fleet](/source/Atlantic_Fleet_(United_States)). The submarine conducted her [shakedown](/source/Shakedown_cruise) in the waters off [New England](/source/New_England), from 29 April-22 June 1916, and afterward proceeded to the [Philadelphia Navy Yard](/source/Philadelphia_Navy_Yard), where she arrived on 24 June. She departed on 1 July, and arrived that same day at [Cape May](/source/Cape_May), New Jersey, for exhibition purposes. She cleared on 5 July, and trained underway in [Long Island](/source/Long_Island_Sound) and [Block Island](/source/Block_Island_Sound) sounds, from 6 July-20 August, conducting tactical maneuvers and torpedo exercises with [USS *Bushnell*](/source/USS_Bushnell_(AS-2)). She then proceeded to [Lynnhaven Roads](/source/Lynnhaven_Roads), Virginia, in the [Chesapeake Bay](/source/Chesapeake_Bay), as part of her strategic maneuvers, from 21-24 August, in company with *Bushnell*. She then conducted her first preliminary [torpedo](/source/Torpedo) practice at [Napeague Bay](/source/Napeague,_New_York), New York, before moving on to the [Boston Navy Yard](/source/Boston_Navy_Yard), where she engaged in maneuvers and underwent repairs and overhaul from 4 September-1 October. Through the remainder of 1916, she ranged the [Atlantic](/source/Atlantic), from New England to [Florida](/source/Florida), developing and testing the tactics and techniques. She cleared [Key West](/source/Key_West), on 23 December, and sailed for the [Caribbean](/source/Caribbean).[4]

### 1917

*L-1* conducted annual fleet tactical training, and gunnery/torpedo exercises, in the waters off [Cuba](/source/Cuba), early in 1917. With [Imperial Germany](/source/Imperial_Germany)'s resumption of [unrestricted submarine warfare](/source/Unrestricted_submarine_warfare) on 1 February, the fleet consolidated initially at [Guacanayabo Bay](/source/Guacanayabo_Bay), and by 31 March, had re-located to the sheltered waters of the lower Chesapeake Bay. When the [US declared war on Germany](/source/United_States_declaration_of_war_on_Germany_(1917)) and entered the [World War I](/source/World_War_I), on 6 April 1917, *L-1* was still with the fleet. *L-1* departed [York Spit](/source/York_Spit_Light), Virginia, on 4 May; bound for the Philadelphia Navy Yard, she proceeded in company with *Bushnell*, and her [sister boats](/source/Sister_ship) [USS *L-2*](/source/USS_L-2_(SS-41)), [USS *L-3*](/source/USS_L-3_(SS-42)), and [USS *L-4*](/source/USS_L-4_(SS-43)). All arrived without incident.[4]

In June 1917, [Vice Admiral](/source/Vice_Admiral_(United_States)) [William S. Sims](/source/William_S._Sims), [Commander, US Naval Forces in European Waters](/source/United_States_Naval_Forces_Europe_and_Africa), in June 1917, cited [British](/source/Royal_Navy) success in using submarines as submarine hunter-killers in [antisubmarine warfare](/source/Antisubmarine_warfare) (ASW). The [Allied](/source/Allies_of_World_War_I) submarines, with their lower profiles, could approach [U-boats](/source/U-boat) more stealthily than larger surface patrol vessels. On 2 July, [Admiral](/source/Admiral_(United_States)) [William S. Benson](/source/William_S._Benson), [Chief of Naval Operations](/source/Chief_of_Naval_Operations), ordered the twelve most suitable submarines on the Atlantic coast be fitted out for duty in European waters. *L-1* underwent extensive overhaul at Philadelphia, to prepare her for distant service. On 14 November, the boat departed Philadelphia, and conducted submerged and surface maneuvers off [Lewes](/source/Lewes,_Delaware), Delaware, and returned that night.[4]

*L-1*, in company *L-2*, *L-3*, *L-4*, [USS *L-9*](/source/USS_L-9_(SS-49)), [USS *L-10*](/source/USS_L-10_(SS-50)), [USS *L-11*](/source/USS_L-11_(SS-51)), [E-class submarine](/source/United_States_E-class_submarine) [USS *E-1*](/source/USS_E-1_(SS-24)), and [submarine tenders](/source/Submarine_tender) *Bushnell*, with [Captain](/source/Captain_(United_States_Navy)) [Thomas C. Hart](/source/Thomas_C._Hart), Commander, Submarine Flotilla embarked, and [USS *Fulton*](/source/USS_Fulton_(AS-1)), cleared Philadelphia, on 18 November 1917, and proceeded to [New London](/source/New_London,_Connecticut), Connecticut, Base No. 22, arriving on 22 November. From there, they departed on November 27, bound for European waters via [Melville](/source/Melville,_Rhode_Island), Rhode Island. Having charted a direct course to the [Azores](/source/Azores), Hart's force ran into a gale which scattered them and required them to pause and re-assemble at [Bermuda](/source/Bermuda), Base No. 24, on 13 December. *L-1* reached [Ponta Delgada](/source/Ponta_Delgada), Azores, Base No. 13, on 18 December. After her arrival, she underwent repairs and overhaul into January 1918.[4]

### 1918

*L-1* then departed, in tow of *Bushnell*, on 18 January, bound for Queenstown, now known as [Cobh](/source/Cobh), Base No. 6, Ireland. On 21 January, she lost tow and proceeded under her own power until re-establishing tow on January 23. She continued until 27 January, when she cast off the tow and proceeded in to Queenstown, under her own power, escorted by US [destroyers](/source/Destroyer). She anchored that evening and then went alongside *Bushnell*, the next day.[4]

Though under the nominal command of Vice Admiral Sims, Hart's US submarines in Ireland, came under [Vice Admiral](/source/Vice_Admiral_(Royal_Navy)) [Sir Lewis Bayly](/source/Lewis_Bayly_(Royal_Navy_officer)), RN, [Commander-in-Chief, Coast of Ireland](/source/Commander-in-Chief,_Coast_of_Ireland), and his submarine commander, [Captain](/source/Captain_(Royal_Navy)) [Sir Martin E. Nasmith](/source/Martin_Dunbar-Nasmith), later Dunbar-Nasmith, RN. Bayly initially ordered Hart to deploy only one of his submarines at a time at sea, and that Royal Navy officers were to always be informed of departures and returns. Their patrol area was also to be limited to seaward of the [Fastnet Lighthouse](/source/Fastnet_Lighthouse), so as to keep clear of British patrols and to avoid potentially fatal [friendly-fire](/source/Friendly-fire) incidents. The base at Queenstown, proved unsatisfactory for [Lieutenant Commander](/source/Lieutenant_Commander_(United_States)) [Harold M. Bemis](/source/Harold_Medberry_Bemis)' Division Five, as it was also serving as the headquarters for the surface patrol forces. As a result, the US submarines were relocated to a base at [Castletownbere](/source/Castletownbere) (Berehaven), [Bantry Bay](/source/Bantry_Bay).[4]

On 5 February, *L-1* parted company with *Bushnell* and stood out of Queenstown, enroute to Bantry Bay. She arrived at Berehaven, later that night. In the ensuing days, from 6-16 February, the division trained in Bantry Bay, conducting dives and tactical maneuvers under the charge of the commander of the Royal Navy's Submarine Flotilla also based at Berehaven. US submarine officers also trained with a “submarine attack war game” apparatus on board [HMS *Vulcan*](/source/HMS_Vulcan_(1889)). In order to denote them from the [British L-class submarine](/source/British_L-class_submarine), the US submarines were re-designated with the suffix "A" (American) and the letter was painted onto the [fairwaters](/source/Fairwater_(submarine)) of the US boats. After division training, *AL-1* underwent overhaul, from 24 February-24 March, then made additional repairs, including the installation of a new [periscope](/source/Periscope), at [Haulbowline](/source/Haulbowline), in Queenstown, through April. Afterward, she sailed for Berehaven, on 11 May.[4]

While on patrol on 21-22 May 1918, near the [Scilly Islands](/source/Scilly_Islands), *AL-1* reported contacting a German U-boat. Having been able to observe the entire stretch of the submarine's deck and guns, she reported that the U-boat was of the [Type U-93 class](/source/Type_U_93_submarine). *AL-1* reported firing two torpedoes, one at the German bow and one at the conning tower. Delays in the torpedo room, prevented other shots being fired. The German submarine took evasive action and returned fire with her stern gun. The German fire proved ineffective though, as the US submarine was submerged, the latter could not spot the fall of the German rounds through the periscope. In the end, the submarines broke contact and the action produced no result. *AL-1* resumed her routine patrol. Just over two weeks later, on 6 June, *AL-1* was cruising in the vicinity of [Small's Light](/source/Small's_Light), Ireland, when she encountered [USS *O'Brien*](/source/USS_O'Brien_(DD-51)). The latter fired two shots from her bow gun which missed. In response, the submarine deployed a smoke grenade as a visual signal. With the destroyer's like signal in response, *AL-1* submerged and maneuvered so as to avoid any further contact with US destroyers that may have generated friendly-fire. Having returned from a patrol on 26 June, *AL-1* reported sighting a U-boat south of [Daunt Rock](/source/Daunt_Rock), Ireland, but could not attack. Just over a month later, on 27 July, the submarine was enroute to Berehaven, when she sighted a U-boat. Having spotted the US submarine, the German dived at once. *AL-1* kept a close lookout and had an initial [oscillator](/source/Fessenden_oscillator) sound contact, that was lost and then she proceeded toward Berehaven, on the surface, reaching the next day. On 24 August *AL-1* conducted ASW training exercises with US [submarine chasers](/source/Submarine_chaser).[4]

Just prior to the [Armistice of 11 November 1918](/source/Armistice_of_11_November_1918), *L-1* shifted to [Portland](/source/Portland,_England), England, as an operational base. She continued to operate from there through the Christmas and New Year's holidays.[4]

### 1919-1921

*L-1* departed Portland, on 3 January 1919, on a westerly course bound for a return to the US. She reached the Philadelphia Navy Yard, on 1 February. Afterward, she docked and underwent an extensive post-deployment overhaul.[4]

*L-1* transferred to the Submarine Base, at [Hampton Roads](/source/Hampton_Roads), Virginia, in late May 1919. Operating in the Chesapeake Bay, and the waters off the [Virginia capes](/source/Virginia_capes), the submarine conducted a port visit to [Baltimore](/source/Baltimore), Maryland, in September 1919. While conducting training with *L-2* on 22 September, *L-1* was almost struck by [USS *Thomas*](/source/USS_Thomas_(DD-182)), while submerged because *L-2* failed to follow appropriate procedures indicating that submarines were operating submerged in the area. The following month, on 30 October, *L-1* did collide with the steamer [SS *Northland*](/source/SS_Northland) in the waters around Hampton Roads. A board of investigation was convened on 1 November, and values of damage assessed. *L-1* had another collision incident on 1 February 1921, when she was rammed by the [pilot boat](/source/Pilot_boat) *Philadelphia*. The pilot boat towed the submarine into the [Delaware Breakwater](/source/Delaware_Breakwater) Harbor. The [fleet tug](/source/Fleet_tug) [USS *Kalmia*](/source/USS_Kalmia_(AT-23)) responded and took *L-1* under tow.[4]

## Fate

*L-1* arrived at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, on 7 February 1921, and decommissioned there on 7 April 1922. She was sold as a [hulk](/source/Hulk_(ship)) on 31 July 1922, to [Pottstown Steel Company](/source/Pottstown_Steel_Company), [Douglassville](/source/Douglassville,_Pennsylvania), Pennsylvania, for scrapping. She was removed from the Philadelphia Navy Yard, and delivered to the purchaser, on 6 September 1922. She was later broken up.[4]

## References

1. Navy List 1921, p. 767.

1. Friedman 1995, p. 307.

1. Gardiner & Gray 1985, p. 129.

1. Havern 2018.

## Bibliography

- ["Table 21 - Ships on Navy List June 30, 1919"](https://books.google.com/books?id=mZEqAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA762). *Congressional Serial Set*. U.S. Government Printing Office. 1921.
- Mohl, Michael. ["L-1 (SS-40)"](https://www.navsource.net/archives/08/08040.htm). *Navsource.net*. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
- Friedman, Norman (1995). *U.S. Submarines Through 1945: An Illustrated Design History*. [Annapolis](/source/Annapolis), Maryland: [Naval Institute Press](/source/Naval_Institute_Press). ISBN 1-55750-263-3.
- Gardiner, Robert & Gray, Randal (1985). *Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1906–1921*. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-85177-245-5.
- Havern, Christopher B. Sr (22 May 2018). ["L-1 (Submarine No. 40)"](https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/l/l-1.html). Retrieved 10 October 2025.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [USS L-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_L-1) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_L-1?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.