USS Sculpin SS 191

Sculpin at anchor while participating in the Squalus Salvage operation.
Photo stamped on back June 22, 1939.
NOT a US Navy Photo.
While on her initial shakedown cruise on 23 May 1939, the diesel-powered submarine was diverted to search for the sunken submarine SQUALUS (SS-192). Sighting a red smoke bomb and a buoy from the sunken submarine, she established communications, first by phone and then by signals tapped in Morse code on the hull. It was determined that SQUALUS was resting on the bottom in 40 fathoms of water, with both engine rooms flooded. SCULPIN stood by while submarine rescue vessel FALCON (ASR-2) rescued the survivors, and rendered further assistance by familiarizing the divers with the configuration of her sister ship. SCULPIN aided in the salvage of the sunken vessel by sounding out the approaches to Portsmouth Harbor and preparing supplementary charts of the area where SQUALUS was refloated.
From the “Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships,”
(1976) Vol. 6, pp.392-393.

Sculpin at anchor while participating in the Squalus Salvage operation.
Photo stamped on back June 22, 1939.
Ship at the left of image is most likely the Falcon (ASR-2).
NOT a US Navy Photo.

USS Sculpin SS 191

USS Sculpin SS 191 May 1, 1943 San Francisco.

USS Sculpin SS 191 May 1, 1943 with the
Golden Gate Bridge in background.

USS Sculpin SS 191 Crew taken March 7, 1943.
The men are from left to right, (Front Row)
Carlos Tulea, 29, OS2c (officers steward) of Cavite, P.I.;
Lt Corwin G. Mendenhall, USN, 26, of Anehuac, Texas;
Weldon E. Moore, Chief Signalman, 34, of Colorado Springs. Colorado;
Lt. John H. Turner, USN, 29.
(Back Row) John J. Pepersack, Chief Electrician, 42 of Baltimore, MD
A. W. Coulter, QM3/c, 20, of St. Louis, MO
K. E. Waidelich, SM3c, 21, of Jackson, Michigan
Charlie Coleman, MoMM2c, 24, Philadelphia, PA
John Swift, EM1c, 25, of Newfane, NY
John J. Hollenbach, MM1c, 27 of Brookville, ID
Ralph S. Austin, MM2c, 21, of Springtown, TX
F. J. Dyboske, CEM, 33, of Rockford, IL
C. A. De Armond, MM1c, 30, 0f Denver CO
(names in red mean they went down with Sculpin when she sank November 19, 1943)
(There was one more name given than people in photo but I'm leaving it in
rather than pull a wrong name from the list)

Lt. Commander Lucius H Chappell Sculpin CO 1943

USS Sculpin SS 191 Commanding Officer Lt. Commander Lucius H Chappell.

LCdr Chappell was Sculpin CO for her first 8 war patrols.
LCdr Chappell turned over command to Cdr Fred Connaway for
her 9th war patrol. Sculpin was lost on that patrol.
Photo courtesy of Randy Chappell, son of Lt. Commander Lucius H Chappell

Lt. Commander Lucius H Chappell with the Sculpin Battleflag 1943
LCdr Chappell was Sculpin CO for her first 8 war patrols.
He was presented with the Sculpin battle flag when he left the sub.
Photo courtesy of Randy Chappell, son of Lt. Commander Lucius H Chappell

Sculpin Battleflag presented to LCdr Chappell upon leaving the Sub in 1943
Photo taken November 5, 2005.
Photo courtesy of Randy Chappell, son of Lt. Commander Lucius H Chappell

USS Sculpin SS 191 at Mare Island Shipyard 1943
List of modifications is on left side of picture:
1.3" AA Gun Moved Fwd; 2.20mm AA Gun; 3. Ready Service Box;
4.Plates Removed; 5.Fairwater Altered; 6.Venturi Shield; (no #7);
8.Radio Antenna; 9.Underwater Loop Antenna; 10.SD Radar mast.
You can still see the welded outline of the hull numbers on the side of the conning tower.

USS Sculpin SS 191 at Mare Island Shipyard 1943.
List of modifications:
1.3" AA Moved For'd; 2.20mm AA Gun; 3.Ready service Box;
6.Venturi Shield; 7.Railing Altered; 8.Radio Antenna;
9.Underwater Loop Antenna; 10.SD Radar Mast; 11.SJ Radar Mast.

USS Sculpin SS 191 at Mare Island Shipyard 1943.
List of Modifications:
2.20mm AA Gun; 3.Ready Box; 4.Plates Removed; 7.Railing Altered;
8.Radio Antenna; 9.Underwater Loop Antenna; 10.SD Radar Mast; 11.SJ Radar Mast

USS Sculpin SS 191 standing by at her sistership,
USS Squalus SS 192, salvage efforts. 1939

USS Sculpin SS 191 during Squalus rescue.

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