S-12 is shown sitting on the building ways inside the construction sheds at the Portsmouth Navy Yard, Kittery, ME. on her launch day of August 4, 1921. S-13 (SS-118), not as far along in her construction, sits next to her. Part of her superstructure had not yet been installed. S-13 will be launched three months later. Building inside the sheds was an advantage for the Portsmouth yard, allowing construction to continue unabated, even in the harsh Maine winter. Portsmouth spent an average of 581 days from keel laying to launch, nearly 40% faster than Electric Boat's contractor Bethlehem Quincy.
Of note in this photo are the steel guards built around the below water non-retractable bow planes. The guards are installed to ensure the planes are not damaged by contact with a pier or tug.
Photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman.
S-12 just after hitting the water at her launch from the Portsmouth Navy Yard, August 4, 1921. Two tugs have already made up to her and are in the process of of moving her to the fitting out pier.
Milne Special Collections, University of New Hampshire Library, Durham, N.H.
A fine shot of the S-12 underway in the Piscataqua River near the Portsmouth Navy Yard, June 4, 1923.
Milne Special Collections, University of New Hampshire Library, Durham, N.H.
