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USS S-39 (SS-144)

S-39's fifth patrol, delayed twice by mechanical 
 
failures and once by the necessity of hospitalizing her 
 
executive officer, began on 10 August. Assigned station off 
 
New Ireland, she made her way across the Coral Sea to the 
 
Louisiades. On the night of 13-14 August, she grounded on 
 
submerged rocks off Rossel Island and took on a 30 degree 
 
list to port. Heavy seas pounded her and pushed her farther 
 
up on the rocks. Throughout the 14th, 15-to-20-foot 
 
breakers broke over the submarine but the crew maintained 
 
its fight to refloat the ship. By the 15th, the list had 
 
increased to 60 degrees. The heavy seas had not abated; 
 
S-39 continued to be pounded against the rocks. Efforts to 
 
evacuate the crew were begun. Lt. C. N. G. Hendrix and 
 
Chief Petty Officer W. L. Schoenrock swam ashore; secured 
 
mooring lines for use as riding lines; then assisted other 
 
crew members to safety. By noon, 32 men had reached shore. 
 
Shortly thereafter, minesweeper HMAS KATOOMBA arrived and by 
 
the same time on the 16th had taken the entire crew of S-39 
 
on board. S-39 was left on the rocks to continue breaking 
 
up. Her crew members were taken to Townsville and later 
 
reassigned to other submarines.