The USS G-2 during her fitting out phase of construction. She is probably pretty close to being completed by the time this photo was taken. The small deck over the torpedo tube outer door has not been installed at this time. There is a man working over the side on the starboard side. He has his feet on a scaffolding board slung over the side and is crouched down. There is another workman going over the port side of the hull and a man standing on the top of the conning tower.
[[File:Red bar sub new 2.jpg]]
The USS G-2 diving. The location is not certain but could be a selection of places where she conducted practice cruises that found her at Norfolk, Charleston, New York, Newport, and Provincetown. The shoreline looks to be too high for Provincetown but may be the Newport area.
[[File:G2-g2fittingout(1)-09.jpg|left|500px]]
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color:#00008B">The G-2 during the fitting out phase of construction at the Newport News Shipbuilding Co. docks at Newport News, Virginia, April 2, 1912. The small deck over the torpedo tube outer door has not yet been installed. G-2 was unusual in that she had three bow torpedo tubes, two inside the hull in the torpedo room, and one outside the hull in the superstructure. The superstructure tube could only be reloaded in port and the weapon in it was not accessible while at sea. You can see the outer muzzle door of the tube here, it folded downward when it opened. There are two guide skids, one on the outer door and one on the bow. These prevent the torpedo from hitting the bow when it is launched. The oval-shaped torpedo loading hatch is open. It appears that the periscopes have not yet been installed. There is a man working over the side on the starboard side. He has his feet on a scaffolding board slung over the side and is crouched down. There is another workman going over the port side of the hull and a man standing on the top of the conning tower.
Note that the flag staff and flag have not been removed so this may have been a dive made for publicity purposes, down and back up again. It is definitely a test dive as the "fish flag" is being flown from the number two periscope.
<small>National Archives photo.</small>
This photo was originally identified as the G-4 but the error was caught by Dave Johnston and brought to our attention.
[[File:Red bar sub new 2.jpg]]
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Paul Frederick Foster was born on March 25, 1889 in Wichita, Kansas. He received a senatorial appointment from the State of Idaho to the U.S. Naval Academy. Following graduation in 1911, he served in the armored cruiser Washington and the battleship Utah as a midshipman and, in March 1912, was commissioned as an Ensign. On 21-22 April 1914, Foster participated at the intervention at Vera Cruz, Mexico, leading his landing company with skill and courage. For his "distinguished conduct in battle", he was awarded the Medal of Honor.
[[File:G2-2627g1-12.jpg|left|500px]]
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color:#00008B">G-2 tied outboard of the [[G-4|'''G-4 (Submarine No. 26)''']]. Submarine Base New London, CT., 1917.
<small>National Archives photo.</small>
===This is a hand tinted picture of the G-2.===
[[File:Red bar sub new 2.jpg]]
[[File:G2-g2color2-04.jpg|center|frame]]
[[File:G2-g2dockside-18.jpg|left|500px]]
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color:#00008B">The G-2, quite possibly at the Boston Navy Yard, Charlestown, MA. On 23 August 1917 she left New London for instructional and experimental operations working off the Boston Lightship. With students embarked, she assisted in proving out submarine detection devices for the Experimental Board embarked in the steam yacht [https://www.navsource.org/archives/12/170524.htm '''USS Margaret (SP-524)'''] and in performing experimental problems with the submarine chaser [https://www.navsource.org/archives/12/150006.htm '''SC-6''']. The purpose of the small platform over the forward superstructure torpedo tube is not entirely clear. It may have been there to keep the weapon guided straight during launch, to keep it from jerking upward. There doesn't seem to be any other reason for it.
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[[File:Red bar sub new 2.jpg]]
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color:#00008B">A hand tinted photo of G-2, along with some closeups, taken approximately 1916. The G-2 is underway with good head of "steam" running. Almost the whole crew is on deck, with two officers on the bridge and one Chief Petty Officer standing on deck near the forward end of the conning tower fairwater. The torpedo loading derrick is rigged up on the forward deck, indicating that she is returning from a torpedo firing exercise. After firing an exercise torpedo, the boat would retrieve the expensive weapon and return it to port for servicing. The vertical 31 on the side of her fairwater IS NOT her hull number. It is a squadron identifier used to indicate her place in a surface steaming formation.
<small>Photos in the private collection of Ric Hedman.</small>
[[File:Red bar sub new 2.jpg]]
[[File:G-2 Eng h80747.jpg|left|500px]]
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color:#00008B">The G-2's engine room showing the starboard engine. The G-2 had four White/Middleton gasoline engines for propulsion. Simon Lake also used these engines in the USS [[G-1|'''G-1 (Submarine No. 19½)''']]. The fumes from these engines would oftentimes intoxicate and sicken the crew, in addition to being highly flammable. Diesel engines had none of these effects.
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color:#00008B">The USS G-2 diving, approximately 1916. The location is not certain but could be a selection of places where she conducted practice cruises such as Norfolk, Charleston, New York, Newport, and Provincetown. The shoreline looks to be too high for Provincetown but may be the Newport area. Note that the flag staff and flag have not been removed so this may have been a dive made for publicity purposes, down and back up again. It is definitely a test dive as the "fish flag" is being flown from the number two periscope.
<small>Photo courtesy of Darryl Baker from the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum.</small>
[[File:Red bar sub new 2.jpg]]
[[File:G2-g3-11.jpg|left|500px]]
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color:#00008B">A closeup of the G-2's conning tower fairwater, approximately 1916. The squadron formation 31 identifier is seen, along with flood ports for the watertight superstructure. There is a sailor in the open hatch leading to the control room below. The periscope are fixed height models and do not retract. The thin pipe running up the back of the aft periscope is the ship's air whistle. Above that is the "fish flag" meant to indicate that there is a submerged submarine beneath. The tapered object on top of the fairwater is the hatch to the forward conning tower. There were two conning towers, one for the Captain and one for the Navigator.
<small>National Archives photo.</small>
[[File:Red bar sub new 2.jpg]]
[[File:G2-G2bowfrombridge-03.jpg|left|500px]]
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color:#00008B">The bow of the USS G-2 as seen from the bridge. The date is unknown but could possibly be circa 1915 to 1919. There is little to no detail that could place the photo. She is possibly making a speed run of some sort.
[[File:G2-G2bowfrombridge-03.jpg|thumb|400px|The bow of the USS G-2 as seen from the bridge. The date is unknown but could possibly be circa 1915 to 1919. There is little to no detail that could place the photo. She is possibly making a speed run of some sort.]]
<small>Photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman.</small>
When the US entered the war in 1917 our allies had been in the fight for nearly three years. They had for those three years been climbing the learning curve of submarine and anti submarine warfare. We were watching, learning some and not much else. For these three years, our submarine design had gone from the E and F Class which had been started in 1909 and were only now one to two years old through the O and R classes which were authorized and being laid on the ways.
[[File:Red bar sub new 2.jpg]]
This great advance in submarine technology would not be able to be translated into operational first line submarines able to go to war for the US until late 1918 at the soonest and most likely it would be into the 1920/21 time frame. Thus, the US would have to go to war with what was available. That consisted of the A and B classes now at Manila Bay, the three D-Class which were not ocean going boats, the F-Class and the E-Class which were small but capable of making the crossing (the [[F-4]], of course was not available, having been lost in 1915 off Honolulu), three H-Class were operating off the west coast with the F boats, the K-class whose 8 boats were split between east and west coasts, the L-Class which were just now coming on line and the N-class which were also just being commissioned. The boats in which there were the most experienced crews were the K boats followed by the E and F boats on the west coast so this set was chosen to get up to speed and transit to the advanced base at Punta Delgada, Azores and Queenstown, Ireland to take their place alongside the British boats.
[[File:G2-g2b(1)-16.jpg|left|500px]]
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color:#00008B">An unfortunately low-resolution photo of G-2 underway, location unknown, approximately 1916-1917. The profusion of rigging topside on these early boats is somewhat surprising, as most of it would have to be de-rigged and taken below before diving. However, once it is considered that these boats were designed to defend harbors it is understood that quick dives were not in the tactical doctrine so the rigging topside was not seen as an issue. It was thought that the boat would have plenty of warning to clear for action prior to getting underway.
The summer of 1917 was spent in fixing the boats and in training for what we could foresee would be an antisubmarine war. By November we had a flotilla ready to go to the Azores to protect shipping around the islands from the actions of German raiders and submarines. The [[K-1]], 2, 5, 6, and [[E-1]], constituting SubDiv Four assembled at Newport, Rhode Island for the haul across the Atlantic. All except the E-1 were to make the trip, with that boat following the next month. The four K boats, plus the tender Bushnell sailed from Newport to Provencetown then to Halifax. After fueling and replenishing supplies they set off for Punta Delgada. The crossing was horrible. The storm they hit the second day out scattered the group and it was not until after the 27th that they all assembled again in the Azores.
<small>National Archives photo.</small>
The Fifth Division after spending a few days in the Azores got underway for Queenstown. As in their transit across the Atlantic, the division slammed head on into a storm. It took eight days to cover the transit through the storm. The [[L-10]] was separated from the remainder of the division and held forth against the storm finally making Queenstown. It was on this transit that [[L-10]] lost a man overboard. GM1 R.A. Leese became the first US submarine causality in a war zone. Lieutenant E. W. F. Childs of the [[L-2]] became the second when he went down with the HMS [[H-5]] also operating out of Bantry Bay.
File:G2-G2bowfrombridge-03.jpg|Fusce auctor purus id erat bibendum efficitur.
File:G2-10049-14.jpg|<small>Photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman.</small>
File:G2-g2color2-04.jpg|In et dolor eu mi vestibulum lacinia nec non diam. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
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File:G2-g2diving-10.jpg|Nunc aliquam, dolor non pellentesque gravida.
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</gallery>
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color:#00008B">In the photo on the left is G-2, in the center, flanked by the [[G-4|'''G-4 (Submarine No. 26)''']] on the left and the [[L-8|'''L-8 (Submarine No. 48)''']] on the right, circa February 1918, Submarine Base New London, CT. The ice was reported to have been as thick as 18 inches. The crewman on the fore deck of the G-2 is sweeping chipped ice way from the hatch. The photo on the right is the same, but annotated by a person describing what was going on.
[[File:Red bar sub new 2.jpg]]
[[File:G1-1g12-09.jpg|left|500px]]
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color:#00008B">G-2 moored alongside [[G-1|'''G-1 (Submarine No. 19½)''']], probably at Submarine Base New London, CT. approximately 1916-1917. This view is from the port quarter and gives a good view of G-2's aft torpedo tube shutter doors. They split in the center and swung outwards to port and starboard. There was presumably another watertight muzzle door behind these doors. The open hatch led to the motor room.
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color:#00008B">On October 1, 1918 the G-2 ran hard aground on Bartlett Reef while performing experimental work on sound detection devices along with training for the newly established Submarine School in the area of Block Island and Long Island Sound. These photos show G-2 with a modification made to her bow, in which the superstructure was extended all the way to the tip of the bow, with the superstructure torpedo tube removed. The third photo shows G-2 hard aground on Bartlett Reef and rolled to port. The vessel in foreground is trying to render assistance and is probably trying to get a tow line aboard. In the fourth photo the assisting vessel is now pulling away, apparently unsuccessful in getting a tow line over. G-2 was eventually freed and returned to New London for repairs.
[[File:Red bar sub new 2.jpg]]
[[File:G2-g2dd-23.jpg|left|500px]]
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color:#00008B">G-2 in a floating drydock at the Thames Towboat Company, New London, Connecticut, 1918, quite possibly after her grounding on Bartlett Reef and her salvage.
<small>National Archives photo.</small>
[[File:Red bar sub new 2.jpg]]
[[File:G2-g2crewphoto-17.jpg|left|500px]]
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color:#00008B">G-2 crew portrait showing the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Joseph E. Austin in the front center with his dog. He is flanked by the six Chief Petty Officers tallied in the notation on the photo. Only 17 of the 18 crew are seen. The 18th may have been the one taking the photo. Now, as then, "The Chiefs ran the boat".
<small>National Archives photo.</small>
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[[File:Red bar sub new 2.jpg]]
<center>[[G-class|Return to the G-class page]] | [[Submarine Classes|Return to the Submarine Classes page]]</center>
The G-2 during the fitting out phase of construction at the Newport News Shipbuilding Co. docks at Newport News, Virginia, April 2, 1912. The small deck over the torpedo tube outer door has not yet been installed. G-2 was unusual in that she had three bow torpedo tubes, two inside the hull in the torpedo room, and one outside the hull in the superstructure. The superstructure tube could only be reloaded in port and the weapon in it was not accessible while at sea. You can see the outer muzzle door of the tube here, it folded downward when it opened. There are two guide skids, one on the outer door and one on the bow. These prevent the torpedo from hitting the bow when it is launched. The oval-shaped torpedo loading hatch is open. It appears that the periscopes have not yet been installed. There is a man working over the side on the starboard side. He has his feet on a scaffolding board slung over the side and is crouched down. There is another workman going over the port side of the hull and a man standing on the top of the conning tower.
The G-2, quite possibly at the Boston Navy Yard, Charlestown, MA. On 23 August 1917 she left New London for instructional and experimental operations working off the Boston Lightship. With students embarked, she assisted in proving out submarine detection devices for the Experimental Board embarked in the steam yacht USS Margaret (SP-524) and in performing experimental problems with the submarine chaser SC-6. The purpose of the small platform over the forward superstructure torpedo tube is not entirely clear. It may have been there to keep the weapon guided straight during launch, to keep it from jerking upward. There doesn't seem to be any other reason for it.
National Archives photo.
A hand tinted photo of G-2, along with some closeups, taken approximately 1916. The G-2 is underway with good head of "steam" running. Almost the whole crew is on deck, with two officers on the bridge and one Chief Petty Officer standing on deck near the forward end of the conning tower fairwater. The torpedo loading derrick is rigged up on the forward deck, indicating that she is returning from a torpedo firing exercise. After firing an exercise torpedo, the boat would retrieve the expensive weapon and return it to port for servicing. The vertical 31 on the side of her fairwater IS NOT her hull number. It is a squadron identifier used to indicate her place in a surface steaming formation.
Photos in the private collection of Ric Hedman.
The G-2's engine room showing the starboard engine. The G-2 had four White/Middleton gasoline engines for propulsion. Simon Lake also used these engines in the USS G-1 (Submarine No. 19½). The fumes from these engines would oftentimes intoxicate and sicken the crew, in addition to being highly flammable. Diesel engines had none of these effects.
National Archives photo No. NH 80747.
The USS G-2 diving, approximately 1916. The location is not certain but could be a selection of places where she conducted practice cruises such as Norfolk, Charleston, New York, Newport, and Provincetown. The shoreline looks to be too high for Provincetown but may be the Newport area. Note that the flag staff and flag have not been removed so this may have been a dive made for publicity purposes, down and back up again. It is definitely a test dive as the "fish flag" is being flown from the number two periscope.
Photo courtesy of Darryl Baker from the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum.
A closeup of the G-2's conning tower fairwater, approximately 1916. The squadron formation 31 identifier is seen, along with flood ports for the watertight superstructure. There is a sailor in the open hatch leading to the control room below. The periscope are fixed height models and do not retract. The thin pipe running up the back of the aft periscope is the ship's air whistle. Above that is the "fish flag" meant to indicate that there is a submerged submarine beneath. The tapered object on top of the fairwater is the hatch to the forward conning tower. There were two conning towers, one for the Captain and one for the Navigator.
National Archives photo.
The bow of the USS G-2 as seen from the bridge. The date is unknown but could possibly be circa 1915 to 1919. There is little to no detail that could place the photo. She is possibly making a speed run of some sort.
Photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman.
An unfortunately low-resolution photo of G-2 underway, location unknown, approximately 1916-1917. The profusion of rigging topside on these early boats is somewhat surprising, as most of it would have to be de-rigged and taken below before diving. However, once it is considered that these boats were designed to defend harbors it is understood that quick dives were not in the tactical doctrine so the rigging topside was not seen as an issue. It was thought that the boat would have plenty of warning to clear for action prior to getting underway.
National Archives photo.
National Archives photo.
Photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman.
In the photo on the left is G-2, in the center, flanked by the G-4 (Submarine No. 26) on the left and the L-8 (Submarine No. 48) on the right, circa February 1918, Submarine Base New London, CT. The ice was reported to have been as thick as 18 inches. The crewman on the fore deck of the G-2 is sweeping chipped ice way from the hatch. The photo on the right is the same, but annotated by a person describing what was going on.
G-2 moored alongside G-1 (Submarine No. 19½), probably at Submarine Base New London, CT. approximately 1916-1917. This view is from the port quarter and gives a good view of G-2's aft torpedo tube shutter doors. They split in the center and swung outwards to port and starboard. There was presumably another watertight muzzle door behind these doors. The open hatch led to the motor room.
National Archives photo.
National Archives photo.
NOAA chart.
National Archives photo.
National Archives photo.
On October 1, 1918 the G-2 ran hard aground on Bartlett Reef while performing experimental work on sound detection devices along with training for the newly established Submarine School in the area of Block Island and Long Island Sound. These photos show G-2 with a modification made to her bow, in which the superstructure was extended all the way to the tip of the bow, with the superstructure torpedo tube removed. The third photo shows G-2 hard aground on Bartlett Reef and rolled to port. The vessel in foreground is trying to render assistance and is probably trying to get a tow line aboard. In the fourth photo the assisting vessel is now pulling away, apparently unsuccessful in getting a tow line over. G-2 was eventually freed and returned to New London for repairs.
G-2 in a floating drydock at the Thames Towboat Company, New London, Connecticut, 1918, quite possibly after her grounding on Bartlett Reef and her salvage.
National Archives photo.
G-2 crew portrait showing the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Joseph E. Austin in the front center with his dog. He is flanked by the six Chief Petty Officers tallied in the notation on the photo. Only 17 of the 18 crew are seen. The 18th may have been the one taking the photo. Now, as then, "The Chiefs ran the boat".
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