V-1

Pre-launch photo of the bow of the V-1, taken on July 16, 1924 at Portsmouth Navy Yard. The sub has been decked out with bunting and signal flags for her launch the next day.

This is a good look of the bow torpedo tube outer doors. Unlike subsequent practice, they do not smoothly fare into the outer hull. The pressure hull was a complex of various angles and diameters bringing the torpedo tubes to the hull's lowest point. The hull was a variety of shapes from circular to ellipses, making the construction a nightmare for the shipyard.

U.S. Navy photo

Stern view of the V-1, taken on July 16, 1924, the day before her launch. Signal flags are yet to be strung from the radio mast. A temporary platform with railing has been built on the deck for crew and dignitaries to stand on during the launching ceremony.

A large brace has been attached to the shaft struts and clamps together, over the top of the stern planes and aft of the rudder. This is to prevent damage to the rudder and stern planes as the submarine slides backwards into the water. Just above the rudder the two aft torpedo tubes can be seen.

U.S. Navy photo

Launch day, July 17, 1924. The V-1 sits on the ways. The tide is high making the launch less difficult. People have begun arriving for the ceremony. Workmen are checking out the ways and making preparations for the launching. A large American flag has been raised at the stern and the signal flags are in place for the event. More signal flags have been draped around the viewing platform at the right rear in the photo.

At the left in the photo, what is probably the V-2 sits on the ways. Just the slope of her stern, matching the V-1 stern, can be seen.

Photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

V-1 leaving Portsmouth Navy Yard on November 13, 1924 for post commissioning trials off Provincetown, MA. The undulating form of her main deck is evident in this photo.

U.S. Navy photo

Another view of V-1 steaming past buildings at the Portsmouth Navy Yard on November 13, 1924 on her way to sea for post commissioning trials.

U.S. Navy photo

The V-1 is seen here at the Washington Navy Yard on December 3, 1924, two months after her commissioning. She had arrived at the yard for inspection by the new Secretary of the Navy, Curtis D. Wilbur and members of the U.S. Senate and the House Committee on Naval Affairs. After the inspection the submarine was opened to the public for viewing. This was a big submarine with an exciting mission and public interest was high.

U.S. Navy photo

Another photo taken at the same time as the one above, from a different angle. This is a good view of the V-1 group's porpoise like bow, with an unusual stem mounted anchor. The shank of the anchor protrudes upward at an angle, necessitating the bulge in the deck above it. Directly behind the anchor bulge is a housing for the forward radio mast, which retracted down into the pressure hull between the torpedo tubes when the boat dived. The upward sheer of the forward deck is very evident in this photo. The retracted bow diving planes are seen just aft of the forward mooring lines.

There is an unidentified yacht like ship in the background, possibly the Presidential yacht, Mayflower. The Mayflower had her small boats stowed on highly raised davits as seen in this photo and a clipper type bow as implied here. Detail is lacking for full conformation.

U.S. Navy photo

A third view of the USS V-1 and although it is dated the same as the two photos above the lack of the ship in the background indicates that it was likely taken several hours after the other two.

U.S. Navy photo

V-1 shown underway in an unknown location, probably not long after her commissioning, late 1924 or early 1925. All three of her radio masts are raised, and the double aerial wire can be seen slung between the masts. The height of the mast and wires enabled very long range communication in those days of relatively low-powered radio sets.

Photo courtesy of Ron Martini

V-1 running close ashore to Block Island, approximately January, 1925. The trees are bare and there is lots of ice slurry on the calm waters. This shakedown cruise was intended to fully test the Busch-Sulzer 6M375 diesel engines and would range as far as the Caribbean. She did not return to Portsmouth until the end of May.

National Archives photo

A fine photo of V-1 at anchor off Cuba, July 2, 1925. The exact location is not known, but is probably Guantanamo Bay. Awnings have been stretched fore and midships to give the crew some relief from the sun. Mattresses and bedding have been brought up and lashed to the lifelines to dry and air. The V-1 had no air conditioning so it must have been pretty uncomfortable below. It is my guess that the awning on the bow was set up for the officers with chairs for seating.

One of the two ship's boats, stowed under the deck just aft of the conning tower fairwater when not in use, can be seen moored alongside. Forward of the conning tower can be seen a folding set of steps to allow access to the submarine from a small boat. These were folded back into the superstructure when not needed.

Photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

V-1 in port at Pearl Harbor, approximately December, 1927. The photographer took this picture from the deck over one of the two small boats, housed in raised slots in the deck on either side of the conning tower fairwater. The large kingpost derrick on the left was permanently mounted and was used to remove the deck covering over the boats, and to lift and swing out the boats to the water.

Photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

Close up of the photo above, showing the young sailor. A searchlight is mounted to a bracket above his head, and details of the hatch to the aft engine room can be seen.

Photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

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