She was built by Lake Torpedoboat Company (Bridgeport); was a government design
Her keel was laid 19 March, 1918;
She was launched 22 May, 1920;
Her Sponsor was Mrs. R. G. Thomas;
She was commissioned 1 March, 1921;
Her first Skipper was LCDR Charles S. Alden;
History - This was one of 11 new S-Boats that participated in a seven month voyage from the east coast of the U.S. to Manila, Philippine Islands under LCDR “Snow” Alden. She was decommissioned 29 March, 1935; recommissioned 16 Dec, 1940.

On 5 March, 1942 while on the surface in the Anegada Passage (Virgin Islands), they sighted an unidentified U-Boat at the same time as they were sighted. Both boats ‘pulled the plug’ and just before contact was lost, what sounded like a torpedo passed close aboard S-17.

From 5 August, 1942 S-17 was assigned to SubRon ONE based at New London under command of LT Harral.

On 4 October, 1942 S-17 was struck from the Navy list and on 5 April, 1945 she was scuttled but we do not have a location.

T. B. Klakring was the Skipper for War Patrol #1; B. J. Harral was Skipper for the other six patrols. Dates of war patrols of S-17 are unknown. There were no sinkings

WP#	Fm AREA	To	Duration
1	PA Caribbean	PA	?? days
2	PA Caribbean	PA	6 days
3	PA Caribbean	PA	?? days
4	PA Caribbean	PA	20 days
5	PA Caribbean	PA	11 days
6	PA Caribbean	PA	5 days
7	PA Caribbean	PA	5 days