G-1

Name and designation changes

When authorized for construction this boat was named Seal. On November 17, 1911 her name was changed to G-1. She was commissioned with that name on October 28, 1912.

The G-1 is seen here prior to her commissioning, probably some time in the summer of 1912 while running builder's trials. The crew on deck seem to be mostly civilian with a few exceptions. It is hard to see detail due to the poor quality of the photo. There does seem to be a officer on the bow, second from the left and an enlisted man just to the right of the forward ventilator on the higher deck. They seem to be doing something requiring diving as the left most man is clearly striped down for swimming and there seems to be a man handling a line or hose going over the side. There are deck chairs on the raised deck forward of the bridge

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Seal shown on her launch day of Feb. 8, 1911.

Another great photo of Seal on her launch day Feb. 8, 1911.

G-1 alongside the surrendered German submarine U-117. Photo was most likely taken at the Brooklyn Navy Yard early in 1919. The snowy conditions indicate January or February. Note the huge size disparity between the G-1 and the German minelaying boat.

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The G-1 seen here circa February 1918 frozen solid into about 18 inches of ice on the Thames River at Submarine Base New London at Groton, CT. There are several other photos further down the page that shows other submarines frozen into the river at about the same time. There is another submarine on the other side of the pier. It is hard to say who it may be, but based on the arrangement of the periscopes it might be the G-2. The arch seen in the background behind the G-1 periscopes looks to be a snow covered hillside not the Gold Star Bridge which hadn't been built at that time.

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G-2 & G-1 together circa 1915.

An H-class boat (possibly the H-1 or H-2) alongside the G-1 and another unknown submarine. Photo taken circa 1918, possibly at Submarine Base New London, CT.

G-1 getting underway from Submarine Base New London, CT. circa 1918.