Submarine Tender

Submarine bases and tenders were virtually unknown to the pioneers of those early submarines who operated along the Pacific coast from port to port.  With early submarine technology being as crude as the boats themselves, these early submarines could only submerge for a very brief time to strike at an enemy then scurry away hiding beneath the waves.  This limiting factor was further hampered by the fact that these small boats could not carry much fuel, food, or weaponry.  These early boats operated primarily from a shore station, with the crew berthed, messed and working from the land facilities available.

As submarines moved from shore stationed to shore station, local "station ships" or "receiving ships" often found themselves "hosting" the crews of these submarines. This relationship progressed to the point that many of these host ships were being referred to as "Mother Ships".  Some of the other services provided by many of these station ships included providing repairs, refueling, and resupply services. 

As time went on, submarine support ships were soon classified as "Auxiliary Submarine" also known as "AS" or more affectionately by the submariners as the "Submarine Tender". All of the logistics needed to operate a squadron of submarines where they were most needed would soon be filled by these auxiliary ships and their crews. Among the first submarine tenders to be stationed in San Pedro where the CHEYENNE (Monitor No. 10 a.k.a. WYOMING) and ALERT (AS-4).

It was realized very soon the advantage of having the submarines supplies, spare parts, service, berthing, etc., available "on site" and as portable as the submarines themselves were. The early role of the submarine tender serving out of advanced bases all allowed the submarines to operate into far regions where they were needed.

It was soon realized that as the submarines began to be assigned to various ports and stations the tender could easily tag right along. Thus, setting up a new advanced submarine operating base could be accomplished in about five minutes after dropping anchor. These early ships which were converted into submarine tenders would soon give way to the newer tenders BEAVER (AS-5), CAMDEN (AS-6) RAINBOW (AS-7) and CANOPUS (AS-9) which were specifically designed for this type of operation and would each take up port duties in San Pedro, California. They too, would serve all over the world allowing the United States  to project it's submarines into far regions where they were needed.

Submarine Tender Alert (AS-4)

Submarine Tender Beaver (AS-5)

Submarine Tender Wyoming-Cheyene

Submarine Tender Camden (AS-6)

Submarine Tender Canopus (AS-9)

Related Pages

Submarine Tender USS Camden (AS-6) at San Pedro

Like the submarine tender, submarine bases came into being by chance; and like submarine tenders, their facilities developed slowly. Monitors, such as the CHEYENNE, were among the first vessels to be used extensively as submarine tenders after it was discovered that they were ideally suited for submarines to pull alongside of and mooring to. This was because of their low freeboard. Becoming obsolete for other Fleet purposes, many of these Monitors spent their last days in active service assisting submarine divisions.  Although inadequately equipped for this type of duty, these early submarine tenders proved most useful for berthing and messing of the submarine crews.

Pictured here is the Submarine Tender USS Cheyenne with the Submarines H-1 and H-2

Related Web Sites

Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships

Tender Tales

Pictured here is the Submarine Tender USS Alert (AS-4) with the Submarines of the F-class

(c) Copyright 1998

California Center for Military History

Naval History Research & Study Element

To learn more about the history of the Submarine Tender we recommend visiting the web site Tender Tales.