R-26

R-26 under construction at the Lake fitting out pier, Bridgeport CT., July 10, 1919. Scaffolding has been erected around the fairwater and gun sponson deck to facilitate the finishing of the work there. Her bow planes are rigged out and the standard Navy stockless anchor is not installed.

National Archives photo.

A closeup of the photo above, showing details of the bow area of R-26. The staggered half-moon shaped holes are a sea ladder, used to facilitate the boarding of the ship from a small boat alongside. The other circular holes are called "limber" holes, used to flood this part of the superstructure when the boat dives. One of the shutter doors for the torpedo tubes can be seen right at the water line. Due to her unfinished state, R-26 is sitting high in the water, with a draft of only about 12 feet. Her normal waterline draft would be at about 14 feet 6 inches.

National Archives photo.

USS O-7 (SS-68) and O-3 (SS-64) are shown at the pier at Submarine Base Coco Solo, Panama, with R-26 moored behind. The date is 1923. The O-class and the Lake design R-class submarines were residents of the base in the 1920's. Their presence provided a credible defense of the vital waterway.

Photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

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