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USS S-27

On the night of 16-17 June, S-27 was ordered to Kiska, Alaska. On the 18th, she reconnoitered Constantine Harbor found no signs of enemy activity in that evacuated village, and moved on to round the southern end of the island, whence she would proceed to Kiska. In mid afternoon, she rounded East Cape and that night when she surfaced, fog obscured her position. Lying to to charge on both engines, she was carried about five miles from her estimated (DR) position. The fog prevented knowledge of the drift. At midnight, she got underway, slowly, on one engine and continued to charge on the other. Soon after 0043 on the 19th, breakers were sighted about 25 yards forward of the bow. "Back emergency" orders were given. Seconds later, she grounded on rocks off St. Makarius Point. Waves bumped her violently against the rocks, rolling her 10 to 15 degrees on each side. Her motors were continued at "back emergency," but she was held firm by a submerged rock. Fuel was blown. Efforts to back off were continued, but the lightened ship swung harder against the rocks. Her starboard screw struck a rock and was disabled. Efforts were made to force the ship ahead to clear the stern; but, she could move only about twenty feet forward before she was again held fast. The immediate area was sounded. No passage was found. The seas continued to pound her. By 0330, the pounding had increased and plans were made to move the greater part of the crew off. Dispatches of her plight, sent first at 0115, were continued. Six were sent in all. One, giving no position, was received at Dutch Harbor. A ferry system, using a rubber boat and lines rigged between the ship and the beach, was set up. Men, provisions, clothing, guns, and medical supplies were transferred safely. By 1100, all but six, the commanding officer, Lt. H. L. Jukes, and five others, were ashore. All equipment was destroyed. Classified material was burned. At 1530, three of the remaining men went ashore. The side plating was now loose, the torpedo room was flooding. At 1550, the radioman, executive officer, and commanding officer left the submarine. The night of 19-20 June was spent in an unsheltered cove. On the 20th, camp was set up at Constantine Harbor, using the buildings and heating equipment which had survived a Japanese bombing. By the 21st, the camp was fully organized: routines, including sentries and lookouts, had been established. Trips to and from the cove continued for three days. S-27 was reboarded on the 21st and 22d; thereafter, the presence of chlorine gas prohibited further visits to take off more supplies. On the 24th, a PBY on a routine flight spotted the activity at Constantine Harbor; landed; and took off 15 of the survivors. On the 25th, three planes were sent in to bring off the remainder. All guns salvaged from S-27 were destroyed. Nothing was left except the submarine's hulk and canned provisions, blankets, and winter clothing.