R-14: Difference between revisions
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=== <big>Notes</big> === | === <big>Notes</big> === | ||
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color:#00008B">R-14 was involved in one of the most unusual incidents in U.S. Submarine Force history. In May, 1921 R-14 and several of her sister boats were assigned to an emergency search and rescue operation | <div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color:#00008B">R-14 was involved in one of the most unusual incidents in U.S. Submarine Force history. In May, 1921 R-14 and several of her sister boats were assigned to an emergency search and rescue operation to locate the missing fleet tug USS Conestoga (AT-54), believed to be in the waters east of Hawaii. Towards the end of the 10 day operation, R-14 ran out of fuel while still 140 miles east of the big island of Hawaii. As luck would have it, her radio was out of commission as well so they couldn't call for help. The crew banded together, discussed the problem, and decided to raise sails! By sewing together canvas hammocks and blankets they were able to raise enough sail to move at about two knots. They eventually made it to Hilo where they rendezvoused with [[R-12|'''R-12 (SS-89)''']] and took on enough fuel to get back to Pearl Harbor. It was a triumph of ingenuity, innovation, and perseverance. Webmasters Ric Hedman and David Johnston have written a book that thoroughly examines the incident. We would appreciate it if you would give it a read. You will enjoy it. Please see [https://pigboats.icci.llc/index.php?title=A_Good_and_Favorable_Wind '''this link for more information.'''] | ||
Ric Hedman was gifted a set of photos from the family of Raymond Suess, a crewmember of the R-14 at the time of the sailing incident. Many of the photos below come from that collection, most of which can not be found anywhere else. They are an amazing look into the lives of the average submariner in 1921.</span></div> | Ric Hedman was gifted a set of photos from the family of Raymond Suess, a crewmember of the R-14 at the time of the sailing incident. Many of the photos below come from that collection, most of which can not be found anywhere else. They are an amazing look into the lives of the average submariner in 1921.</span></div> | ||
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[[File:Red bar sub new.jpg]] | [[File:Red bar sub new.jpg]] | ||
[[File:R-14 bow planes | [[File:R-14 bow planes photo.jpg|left|500px]] | ||
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color:#00008B">This is a very interesting photo that directly illustrates the changes in opinion towards safety that has taken place over the last 100 years. In an operation that would make a modern day NAVOSH or OSHA inspector cringe, a lone sailor is working on the rigged out bow plane while the boat is underway in the channel of Pearl Harbor. No safety harness, no safety lines, no assistant to grab him if he falls. Just a slight wrong movement and he would be in the water, and with the boat moving forward it would be likely that he would be sucked into the whirling propellers before anyone could stop it. Even in 1921 it had to have been known that this was fraught with danger, yet it was considered an acceptable risk. Not today! | <div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color:#00008B">This is a very interesting photo that directly illustrates the changes in opinion towards safety that has taken place over the last 100 years. In an operation that would make a modern day NAVOSH or OSHA inspector cringe, a lone sailor is working on the rigged out bow plane while the boat is underway in the channel of Pearl Harbor. No safety harness, no safety lines, no assistant to grab him if he falls. Just a slight wrong movement and he would be in the water, and with the boat moving forward it would be likely that he would be sucked into the whirling propellers before anyone could stop it. Even in 1921 it had to have been known that this was fraught with danger, yet it was considered an acceptable risk. Not today! | ||
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[[File:R-14 ray suess and crew.jpg|left|500px]] | [[File:R-14 ray suess and crew.jpg|left|500px]] | ||
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color:#00008B">Ray Suess and several of his shipmates on the pier at Pearl Harbor, 1920 or 1921. What they are doing is not clear, but one | <div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color:#00008B">Ray Suess and several of his shipmates on the pier at Pearl Harbor, 1920 or 1921. What they are doing is not clear, but one sailor in the background is holding a fish. | ||
<small>Photo courtesy of Robert Suess and the Suess Family, now in the private collection of Ric Hedman.</small> | <small>Photo courtesy of Robert Suess and the Suess Family, now in the private collection of Ric Hedman.</small> |
Latest revision as of 21:28, 16 March 2025
Notes
General Photos

Photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman

Photo courtesy of Robert Suess and the Suess Family, now in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

Photo courtesy of Robert Suess and the Suess Family, now in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

Photo courtesy of Robert Suess and the Suess Family, now in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

Photo courtesy of Robert Suess and the Suess Family, now in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

Photo courtesy of Robert Suess and the Suess Family, now in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

Photo courtesy of Robert Suess and the Suess Family, now in the private collection of Ric Hedman.
Crew Photos, 1921
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Photo courtesy of usna1917.com
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Photo courtesy of Katie Gallemore Eliot

Photo courtesy of Robert Suess and the Suess Family, now in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

Photo courtesy of Robert Suess and the Suess Family, now in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

Photo courtesy of Robert Suess and the Suess Family, now in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

Dorsey was from Washington D.C. and Bridges came from Dallas, Texas.
Photo courtesy of Robert Suess and the Suess Family, now in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

Note: The photo appears to show a rather nasty looking scar on Suess's left cheek. We do not know if this was real, or if this is an artificial effect of a 100 year old photo.
Photo courtesy of Robert Suess and the Suess Family, now in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

Photo courtesy of Robert Suess and the Suess Family, now in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

Photo courtesy of Robert Suess and the Suess Family, now in the private collection of Ric Hedman.
Interior Photos

Photo courtesy of Robert Suess and the Suess Family, now in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

Photo courtesy of Robert Suess and the Suess Family, now in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

Photo courtesy of Robert Suess and the Suess Family, now in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

Photo courtesy of Robert Suess and the Suess Family, now in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

Photo courtesy of Robert Suess and the Suess Family, now in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

Photo courtesy of Robert Suess and the Suess Family, now in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

Photo courtesy of Robert Suess and the Suess Family, now in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

Photo courtesy of Robert Suess and the Suess Family, now in the private collection of Ric Hedman.
The Sailing Incident

Illustration by Jim Christley. MAY NOT be used without permission.

Apparently, once they returned to port several prints of the photo were made and handed out to crewmen that wanted one. One of the prints made it to the National Archives, but this particular print came from the family of Ray Suess, and Ric Hedman has it in his personal collection. (see below). Ray Suess is seen leaning against the rail on the right, munching an apple. The acting CO, LT Douglas, is seen on the bridge on the far left, not wearing a hat. The rest of the crew shown are not identified.
Photo courtesy of Robert Suess and the Suess Family, now in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

Photo courtesy of Robert Suess and the Suess Family, now in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

Photo courtesy of Robert Suess and the Suess Family, now in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

Photo courtesy of Robert Suess and the Suess Family, now in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

A Ric Hedman photo.

Photo courtesy of Robert Suess and the Suess Family, now in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

Photo courtesy of Robert Suess and the Suess Family, now in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

Photo courtesy of Robert Suess and the Suess Family, now in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

Photo courtesy of Katie Gallemore Eliot.

Photo courtesy of Katie Gallemore Eliot.
Photos in the private collection of Ric Hedman.
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