O-12

O-12 Electrical Division, aka the "E-Div". The photo is reported to be circa 1917 but the O-12 was not in commission yet. Being commissioned on October 19, 1918. The photo is more likely to have been taken after the submarine arrival in Coco Solo, Panama soon after commissioning. The O-12 was decommissioned on June 17, 1924.

There are additional crew in the background at the left side of the photo. Note the O-12's rectangular conning tower deadlight windows, distinctive of the Lake design.

Photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman

O-12 pierside for a crew photo opportunity, possibly at Coco Solo, Panama, circa 1921. There are numerous civilians on the pier, and this is probably a Navy Day celebration or some sort of holiday. The duty officer is standing aft by the fairwater chatting with a woman visitor. He is wearing a sidearm and carrying an overcoat. Both the deck gun and the torpedo loading skid are in the raised position.

Photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman

Closeup #1 from the photo above. The men at left are Chief Petty Officers. The first one is a Gunner's Mate. In those days the rate of Torpedoman did not yet exist so some Gunner's Mates held a distinguishing specialty of Torpedoman. Thus this sailor's rate would be Gunner's Mate (Torpedo).

Photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman

Closeup #2 showing the remainder of the men topside. These are all 1st Class Petty Officers and below. All are in dress whites, wearing the traditional black silk neckerchief, also known as the "Mk 1 Mod 0 Greasy Snake".

Photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman

Closeup #3 with the Duty Officer and the female visitor. Unusual he seems to be wearing a sidearm the holster can be seen on his right hip. Details of the torpedo loading skid and the raised 3"/23 caliber gun can be seen.

Photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman

Another O-12 crew photo taken at the same time, this one being less formal in nature, and it has the officer's in front. A lapstrake dingy is lashed to the side of the fairwater. On the back of the photo are a list of names. There are only 24 names and there are 33 men shown in the photo. The names are: Morris, Swango, Satterfield, Dooley, Longfield, Lyons, White, Coody, Burdick, Bingo, Clark, Merrill, Linder, Bower, Cherry, Packard, Karp, Weigh, Thomas, McCarthy, Burton, Beckler, Ambroio, & Elliot.

Photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman

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Closeups of the 2nd O-12 crew photo.

Photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman

O-12 was decommissioned June 17, 1924 and was placed in reserve at the Philadelphia Navy Yard League Island facility. The ex-O-12 is shown here in her decommissioned state, moored with other O-class submarines and alongside what is most likely the monitors ex-Tonopah or ex-Cheyenne. Both of those ships had been used as submarine tenders.

Struck from the Naval Register 29 July 1930, her ownership was transferred to the United States Shipping Board, who then leased her to Lake & Danenhower, Inc. for conversion and use on the civilian Wilkins-Ellsworth Arctic Expedition.

Photo provided by MMCM(SS) Rick Larson, USN (Ret.)

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