H-2

H-2 underway in what is likely San Diego Harbor, 1914. She is accompanied by an entire squadron of GU-11 aircraft (known in the USN as GULLS...). This is very early in her career and prior to the U.S. entry into the war. She does not yet have a chariot-style bridge. There is a crewman standing on top of the fairwater conning the boat from the topside steering station. 12 of her 25 man crew are topside, all appear to be in dress uniforms, a rare event for submariners of the period. The boat may have been on its way to a fleet review or some other sort of formal occasion. Mooring lines are flaked out on the forward and after decks.

Photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

H-2 making a port visit to Coos Bay, Oregon, approximately 1917. As usual, a submarine visit generated a lot of local interest, and many people turned out to view the undersea craft.

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

H-2 on the surface off the U.S. west coast, 1920-1921. Lessons from the North Atlantic in WWI led to the adoption of permanent chariot style bridge fairwaters. These provided much better protection to the watchstanders while surfaced, and did not need to be taken down prior to diving. The effect on underwater speed was negligible.

Photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

H-2 circa 1920-1921 most likely off San Francisco after her overhaul at Mare Island. She is operating with Submarine Division 7 out of San Pedro, CA. and has been awarded the Navy "E" for excellence in engineering inspections. (The "E" was actually painted in Red) The torpedo loading crane is in place on the forward deck.

U.S. Navy photo.

A closeup of the photo above showing details of the H-2's permanent bridge fairwater. The ribs showing on the side forward of the 2 are the rib flanges on the conning tower itself. The circular deadlight windows can be seen just above the ribs. Note the Submarine Division 7 logo on the bridge fairwater. There is one civilian on the bridge, likely the harbor pilot.

U.S. Navy photo.

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