R-4

A dramatic photo of the R-4. The submarine is traveling at full speed and the propellers are tossing up an impressive spray heading to sea. On the horizon to the left is a gaff rigged sloop or cutter giving some depth of field to the camera.

There are a number of crew on the main deck at the aft end of the bridge fairwater, several more on the fairwater next to the periscope shears, blocking the submarine's name, and several on the bridge itself. All are wearing light clothing. The hatch is open to allow air to the diesels and probably allow some ventilation of fumes from the submarine.

This is a mid 1919 to early 1920 photo since the submarine's deck gun has not yet been installed, although the mine cable anti-fouling structure surrounding the SC and J-tube listening heads on deck is in place. By mid 1920 these frames have been removed from all the R-class boats.

Image from an original glass plate negative in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

A very nice but unfortunately unfocused photo of R-4 underway in a river or past a coastline, most likely taken in the summer or early fall of 1919. The R-4 was placed in commission on March 28, 1919 with Lt. Palmer Hall Dunbar, Jr. in command. In this photo she has not yet had her 3"/50 caliber deck gun installed, a good point of reference to get dating on a photo. A possible date could be in September 1919, which would go along with the tree foliage when the R-4 and the R-22 were on recruiting drives along the New England coast. She and the R-22 were reported to have left Bridgeport, CT. on September 11, 1919, bound for New London.

The large hotel or resort on the cliff ought to give some indication of location but it is yet to be found. Anyone recognizing this location please contact us.

From an original negative in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

A Navy photo of the R-4 in drydock undergoing overhaul. The date is late 1920 and the location is the Norfolk Navy Yard in Portsmouth, VA. The unusual pipe structure on the bow that was to protect the sonar listening devices installed on the foredeck. The tube at the tip of the bow is a towing fairlead, sometimes called a "bullnose". A towing chain has been passed through it and secured alongide the deck on the port side. Note also the angular, slab-sided covers for the bow plane pivot mechanism. The bow planes themselves are partially rigged out, likely for maintenance. The R-class were the last of the EB design submarines to have the bow planes fold up alongside the superstructure. In the following S-class submarines the bow planes retracted inside the superstructure.

U.S. Navy photo.

A press photo taken of the R-4 at what looks to be San Pedro (Los Angeles), CA. circa 1922 while she was attached to the submarine squadron there from June 30, 1921 to April 10, 1923

This photo was used by the newspapers for the story about the R-4 finding a seaplane trying to make a non-stop flight from San Francisco to Hawaii. The plane ran out of gas and was adrift for nine days before rescue by the R-4. The newspaper had heavily edited the negative (specifically the port side of the R-4) to make detail stand out during the printing process.

It looks like there is some bedding being aired draped over the deck gun. One man looks to be adjusting a mooring line and what appears to be an officer is standing just behind the man on the right.

Photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

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