dp. 392 tons (surf.), 521 tons (subm.); l. 153.6'; b. 16.7'; s. 14k (surf.), 10.5k (subm.); td. 200'; a. 4-18" tt. fwd.; cpl. 2 officers - 26 enlisted; cl. "K"

Upon completion of six months of training, USS K-1 (SS-32) joined the SubDiv4 of the Atlantic Torpedo Flotilla at Newport, RI, on 9 October 1914. The submarine departed New York, NY, on 19 January 1915 for underwater development training out of Key West, FL. She continued operations along the east coast of the United States for almost three years, aiding in the development of submarine-warfare tactics. The techniques learned from these experiments were soon put into practice when German U-boats interfered with Allied shipping bound for Europe during the First World War.

Four K Boats, USS K-1 (SS-32), USS K-2 (SS-33), USS K-5 (SS-36), and USS K-6 (SS-37), were the first American submarines to operate in European waters during the First World War. Leaving the United States Naval Submarine Base at New London/Groton, CT, on 12 October 1917, the four submarines, accompanied by submarine tender USS BUSHNELL (AS-2), visited Provincetown, Cape Cod, MA; refueled at Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; and then set course for their new base at Ponta Delgada in the Azores. For over a year, these boats searched for the German submarines and surface raiders which were reputed to be operating in the Azores area. However, no contacts with the enemy were ever made.

Upon the cessation of hostilities on 11 November 1918, K-1 transited to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, arriving at the Navy Yard, there, on 13 December 1918. K-1 then commenced operating off the east coast of the United States.

From 1919 to 1923, K-1 cruised along the Atlantic coast of the United States, from New England to Florida, conducting experimental exercises. The development of submarines was greatly accelerated through the technology learned from these experiments. New listening devices, storage batteries, and torpedoes were tested; and their later adoption contributed greatly toward enhancing American submarine superiority and strength on the high seas.

K-1 arrived at Hampton Roads, VA, on 1 November 1922 and remained, there, until she decommissioned on 7 March 1923.

On 25 June 1931, K-1 was sold to a ship breaker for subsequent scrapping.