#18 • 1920's USN Submarine S-21 'Trench Art' Painted Conch Shell

Part of TRENCH ART & WWI Memorabilia (live auction by Bannerman Auctions)

High bid $220.00

Status: Sold

Category: United States

1920's USN Submarine S-21 'Trench Art' Painted Conch Shell. 18.5cm tall x ~20cm wide at the widest point of the base, painted with vignette of a US submarine cruising past an island with palm trees.  Submarine is labeled "S21".  Side has a small US flag with partially visible name inscription.  S-21 was commissioned in August 1921.  She operated in the areas where conch shells are to be found (Conchs are native to the coasts of the Caribbean, the Florida Keys, the Bahamas, and Bermuda) between January and April 1924, in March 1927, and again in October 1928.  On Dec. 7, 1941 S-21 was at New London, CT.  She got underway on December 9, and on the 19th was in position to conduct defensive war patrols guarding the Pacific approaches to the Panama Canal.  She was decommissioned in September 1942, and transferred to the Royal Navy, where she served as HMS P.553 until July 1944 when she was returned to the US Navy.  She was sunk as a target in March 1945. Estimate: $100 - $200