General D-class photos

This photo shows the bow of the submarine tender USS Severn over-hanging six submarines. The location is believed to be New York Harbor, the date is October 28, 1911. The three D-class submarines are closest to the Severn. From L to R; Narwhal, Salmon and Grayling, three of the five C-class submarines; Tarpon, Octopus and Bonita. If you look closely, you can read the names Salmon and Grayling on the hull of those boats. Note the difference in the shape of the bow of the two classes of boats. In the background can be seen the Virginia-class battleship USS Nebraska (Battleship No. 14), with the three black stripes on her forward stack. On the far right in the background is another USN warship, likely a cruiser, but there is not enough detail to make an identification.

Library of Congress photo.

All three D-class submarines running in formation in the summer of 1910 or 1911. The boat in the lead is the Grayling. Men on her forward deck are signaling a vessel out of view on the right.

National Archives photo via Mike Mohl at Navsource.org.

Five submarines, comprising the D and E-class boats, moored together at the Boston Navy Yard, Charlestown, MA., summer of 1912. Which boats are which is unknown. The D and E-class boats frequently operated together as they were very similar in design. In the foreground an Arkansas-class monitor is moored, likely acting as a tender for the submarines. In the far right center background the famous sailing frigate USS Constitution is moored at her berth.

Photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

D-2, D-1 & D-3 shown on May 10, 1915 (the bow of the E-2 can be seen to the left) on the upper westside of New York City moored at the 135th Street piers as part of the Presidential Review for President Wilson with the Atlantic Fleet.

Moored to the left, out of the photo image, are the USS E-2 and E-1 and all are moored to the tender USS Tonopah (Monitor No. 8).

Library of Congress photo.

E-2, D-2, D-3 and D-1 at most likely New York piers circa 1915. This photo is oftentimes mis-located as being in Key West. We are confident that the background does not represent Key West.

Photo courtesy of the Submarine Force Library & Museum.

D-3 moored to the USS Tonopah (Monitor No. 8). This is taken around May 10, 1915 at the 135th Street Piers on New Yorks Upper West Side. The land seen behind and to the right in the photo is the New Jersey “Palisades” and the amusement park of that name.

The two E-boats (E-1 & E-2) are moored to the Tonopah, then comes the D-2, D-1 and finally D-3. This arrangement is known from other photos of this scene. Extending to the right behind the submarines and tender is the concrete pier crowded with people looking at the ships in the river.

Photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

Here we have all three D-boats and one of the two E-boats. The boat closest to the camera is the D-1. The E-boat is next to the pier and is most likely the E-2. Looks like the division commander's pennant for Submarine Division 25 is flying at the top of the tallest mast. Photo date is approximately 1912-1913.

Photo contributed by ENCS(SS) Kenneth Henry, USN.

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