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Photo # NH 53846: USS H-3 after being pulled 150 feet inland on Samoa Beach, California, 27 March 1917

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- EVENTS -- The 1910s -- 1917

USS H-3 Salvage Efforts, February-March 1917

Following the loss of USS Milwaukee and the successful rescue of her crew, the Navy reconsidered its December 1916 decision to reject the bids of private contractors to salvage the stranded submarine H-3. The Mercer-Fraser company, a local construction firm, had offered to do the job for just $18,000, an amount originally thought unrealistically low. On 17 January 1917 this bid was accepted. Work began about a month later, progressing simultaneously with Mercer-Fraser's construction of a pier connecting Milwaukee's wreck with the shore.

During the last half of February and the first three weeks of March, Mercer-Fraser employees ran cables under the H-3, built wooden crib work by her sides, and raised her 350 ton hull free of the sand. Late in March she was moved inland to get her out of the surf zone, then turned toward Humboldt Bay, on the opposite side of the Samoa Beach sandspit from the Pacific shore. With two huge tree trunks lashed to her sides, and a timber supporting structure built underneath, during April the submarine was rolled along wooden tracks toward the bay, some three-quarters of a mile distant. She was relaunched on 20 April. After inspection showed that she was still seaworthy, she was towed by USS Iroquois to the Mare Island Navy Yard. Refurbished, USS H-3 served actively until 1922, and was not disposed of until 1931.

This page features views concerning preparations for the successful salvage of USS H-3 (Submarine # 30) during February and March 1917.

For more pictures of the salvage of USS H-3, see:

  • USS H-3 salvage attempts, January 1917; and
  • USS H-3 salvage efforts, April 1917.

    For views related to the stranding of this submarine in December 1916, see:

  • Stranding of USS H-3 and USS Milwaukee, and salvage of USS H-3, December 1916 - April 1917.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see: How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions.

    Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

    Photo #: NH 53839

    USS H-3     (Submarine # 30)

    Stranded on Samoa Beach, near Eureka, California, 10 February 1917, during an early stage of the successful salvage operation by the Mercer-Fraser Company.
    Photograph looks forward from off H-3 port quarter. Note sand piled against her bow and cables passed around her hull.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 81KB; 740 x 540 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 53838

    USS H-3     (Submarine # 30)

    Preparing the submarine for lifting from the sands of Samoa Beach, near Eureka, California, circa early March 1917, during the successful salvage operation undertaken by the Mercer-Fraser Company, of Eureka.
    Photographed from off H-3's port bow, showing the derrick used in the recovery work.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 61KB; 740 x 555 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 53837

    USS H-3     (Submarine # 30)

    Preparing the submarine for lifting from the sands of Samoa Beach, near Eureka, California, circa early March 1917, during the successful salvage operation undertaken by the Mercer-Fraser Company, of Eureka.
    Photographed from off H-3's starboard bow.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 67KB; 740 x 510 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 53843

    USS H-3     (Submarine # 30)

    Mercer-Fraser Company preparing to lift the submarine from the sand at Samoa Beach, near Eureka, California, during salvage operations in early March 1917.
    Note the heavy surf offshore.
    Photographed by the Freeman Art Company, Eureka.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 70KB; 740 x 525 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 53840

    USS H-3     (Submarine # 30)

    Mercer-Fraser Company preparing to lift the submarine from the sand at Samoa Beach, near Eureka, California, during salvage operations on 6 March 1917.
    View looks forward from nearly directly astern.
    Photographed by the Freeman Art Company, Eureka.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 80KB; 740 x 480 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 53841

    USS H-3     (Submarine # 30)

    Mercer-Fraser Company preparing to lift the submarine from the sand at Samoa Beach, near Eureka, California, during salvage operations on 10 March 1917.
    View looks aft.
    Photographed by the Freeman Art Company, Eureka.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 69KB; 740 x 565 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 53842

    USS H-3     (Submarine # 30)

    After being lifted from the sand at Samoa Beach, near Eureka, California, on 15 March 1917 during salvage operations by the Mercer-Fraser Company.
    Photographed by the Freeman Art Company, Eureka.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 87KB; 740 x 575 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 53844

    USS H-3     (Submarine # 30)

    Ready to be pulled inland from the beach, after being lifted from the sand at Samoa Beach, near Eureka, California. Taken 23 March 1917, during salvage operations by the Mercer-Fraser Company.
    Photographed by the Freeman Art Company, Eureka.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 65KB; 740 x 565 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 53846

    USS H-3     (Submarine # 30)

    View from ahead on 27 March 1917, after the submarine had been pulled 150 feet inland on Samoa Beach, near Eureka, California, during salvage operations by the Mercer-Fraser Company.
    Note cribwork at left, used to lift H-3 from the sand so she could be moved.
    Photographed by the Freeman Art Company, Eureka.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 67KB; 740 x 510 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 53847

    USS H-3     (Submarine # 30)

    Seen from ahead on 27 March 1917, after she had been moved the first 150 feet inland on Samoa Beach, near Eureka, California, during salvage operations by the Mercer-Fraser Company.
    Photographed by the Freeman Art Company, Eureka.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 83KB; 740 x 465 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 53845

    USS H-3     (Submarine # 30)

    Is pulled inland from the beach, after being lifted from the sand at Samoa Beach, near Eureka, California. Taken 27 March 1917, during salvage operations by the Mercer-Fraser Company.
    Photographed by the Freeman Art Company, Eureka.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 89KB; 740 x 550 pixels

     

    For more pictures of the salvage of USS H-3, see:

  • USS H-3 salvage attemptss, January 1917; and
  • USS H-3 salvage efforts, April 1917.

    For views related to the stranding of this submarine in December 1916, see:

  • Stranding of USS H-3 and USS Milwaukee, and salvage of USS H-3, December 1916 - April 1917.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see: How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions.


    Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

    Page made 31 May 2004
    Text added 14 June 2004