Daily Event for July 24


July 24, 1917 a gasoline explosion on the A-7 SS-8 took the lives of seven men, including her commanding officer Lt. jg. Arnold Marcus. The Holland type boat was patrolling the entrance to Manila Bay near the Cavite Navy Base in the Philippines when the explosion happened.

Marcus and his crew managed to put the fire out but seven men were badly injured. Marcus, gravely injured himself, refused to leave the submarine until the rest of the crew were taken off and even then took the helm in an attempt to ground the boat so she would not sink.

Marcus and six others ultimately died from their injuries, but Marcus was honored when on Aug. 22, 1919 a ship bearing his name, the USS Marcus DD-321 was launched.

© 2006 Michael W. Pocock
MaritimeQuest.com


USS Shark (later A-7)

 

Lt. (jg.) Arnold Marcus