USS K-3 (SS-34)
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Template:Infobox ship imageTemplate:Infobox ship careerTemplate:Infobox ship characteristicsUSS Orca/K-3 (SS-34), also known as "Submarine No. 34", was a K-class submarine, of the United States Navy (USN). Originally named Orca, she was the first ship in the USN named for the orca, though she was renamed K-3 prior to being laid down.
Design
The K-class boats had a length of Template:Cvt, a beam of Template:Cvt, and a mean draft of Template:Cvt. They displaced Template:Cvt, on the surface, and Template:Cvt submerged. They had a diving depth of Template:Convert. The K-class submarines had a crew of 2 officers and 26 enlisted men.Template:Sfn
For surface running, the boats were powered by two Template:Convert NELSECO diesel engines, each driving one propeller shaft. When submerged each propeller was driven by a Template:Convert electric motor. They could reach Template:Cvt on the surface and Template:Cvt underwater. On the surface, the boats had a range of Template:Cvt at Template:CvtTemplate:Sfn and Template:Cvt at Template:Convert submerged.Template:Sfn
The K-class submarines were armed with four 18 inch (450 mm) torpedo tubes in the bow. They carried four reloads, for a total of eight torpedoes.Template:Sfn
Construction
K-3Template:'s keel was laid down on 15 January 1912, by the Union Iron Works, in San Francisco, California. Her name had changed from Orca, on 17 November 1911, she was the first US Navy ship named for the orca, another name for the killer whale. She was launched on 14 March 1914, sponsored by Mrs. Clarence Meigs Oddie, and commissioned on 30 October 1914.Template:Sfn
Service history
K-3 joined 3rd Submarine Division, Pacific Torpedo Flotilla 11, in December 1914, and operated along the California coast, developing underwater warfare tactics and coordinating the use of underseas craft with the fleet. She arrived in Hawaiian waters 14 October 1915, to perform similar exercises in the light of increasing emphasis on submarine warfare.Template:Sfn
The United States' entry into World War I placed a greater urgency on the need for experienced submariners, and K-3 was dispatched to Key West, Florida, arriving 8 January 1918. For the remainder of the war, she conducted patrols along the Florida coast, while training men in underwater techniques. K-3 continued operations along the East Coast after the war, testing new devices such as listening gear, storage batteries, and torpedoes.Template:Sfn
Fate
On 7 November 1922, the submarine arrived Hampton Roads, and decommissioned there 20 February 1923. She was scrapped 3 June 1931.Template:Sfn
References
Bibliography
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