168 launch

Mare Island Navy Yard, Building Ways #2, Vallejo, California, August 27, 1927, the construction of the V-6 is about to begin. Navy and yard officials and workman line up for the official keel laying photograph. The banner proclaims: "When Better Submarines Are Built Mare Island Will Build Them"

From left to right: Front row; LT J. W. (Duke) Paige, C.C., Ship Supt; CDR E. L. Patch, C.C., Asst. Inside Supervisor, New Work Hull (In general charge of Keel Laying Arrangements); CDR F. J. Wille, Outside Supt.; CAPT C. S. McDowell, Inside Supt.; LCDR W. C. Wade, Asst. Shop Supt.; RADM J. H. Dayton, Commandant Mare Island Navy Yard; CDR E. D. (Bill) Almy, Shop Supt.; J. T. Moroney, Master Shipfitter.

Back Row: Fred Coppo, Rivet Heater; A. P. Schneidewind, Riveter; J. F. Nichelini, Holder-on (all members of regular riveting gang); Honorary Riveting Group: A. L. Luck, Leadingman Shipwirght "Riveter"; W. L. Blackmore, Leadingman Pipefitter "Rivet Passer"; J. E. Moon, Leadingman Machinist "Rivet Heater"; Charles Deaver, Quarterman Riveter "Rivet Heater"; Tom Schofield, Master Rigger & Laborer "Holder-on"; B. A. (Bert) Barr. Quarterman Shipfitter "Riveter"; F. W. Savage, Quarterman Electrician "Rivet Tester"; J. R. Greig, Asst. Shop Supt. "Rivet Tester.

The primary construction method was obviously riveting. But at this time there were experiments underway at Navy yards to incorporate welding. Although not shown in this photo, some non-critical areas such as pipe brackets, superstructure supports, and interior deck joinery were welded.

U.S. Navy photo courtesy Darryl Baker

The construction of the V-6 has begun. In a keel laying ceremony, officials and workmen ceremonially drive the first rivet in the hull. The first of what will be millions that this vessel will take before she is finished. The workmen and officials all wear an arm band with "V-6" printed on it.

U.S. Navy photo courtesy Darryl Baker

The rivet team seen in close up. To the left is the forge where rivets are heated. Hot rivets are taken from the forge by one man and passed to a "tosser" and the rivet is caught and shoved through the pre-drilled hole and held in place by a "bucker" who holds a tool with the shape of the rivet head in it on the rivet's head. The two men on the right are using large hammers to "peen" the other end of the rivet up tight to the hull plates. When the rivet cools it will shrink tight.

U.S. Navy photo courtesy Darryl Baker

Almost 13 months after laying the keel the V-6 has pretty much filled the scaffolding at the Mare Island Navy Yard. The date is September 8, 1928. It will still be another year and a half before she touches water. You can see the two massive mounts for the 6 inch/53 caliber guns that will sit on her decks. V-6 and her sisters were all full double hull submarines. The outer ship-shaped hull was wrapped around the inner cigar-shaped pressure hull, with the void spaces between containing the fuel and ballast tanks.

U.S. Navy photo courtesy Darryl Baker

View of V-6 from the port side while on the builder's ways. Construction has moved further along, with the superstructure sides being essentially complete, and work is underway on the gun decks.

From an original glass plate negative in the private collection of Ric Hedman

The next step in construction of V-6. Work is progressing on the conning tower fairwater and bridge area.

Photo courtesy of Darryl Baker

A view of the interior of V-6 during her construction. This is likely the pump room/generator room below the control room looking forward.

Photo courtesy of Darryl Baker

A view of V-6's main engine room during construction. This view is likely looking forward. None of the engines have been installed yet. Temporary wooden planks make up a tenuous walking deck for the yard workers. There are numerous chalk marks on the sides of the hull indicating where piping and other equipment is to be installed.

Photo courtesy of Darryl Baker

V-6 On her launch day at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA. on March 15, 1930. The heavy chains in the area between the viewing stand and the boat are drag chains, intended to slow the slide into the water, and stop the boat before she goes all the way to the other side of the Napa River. Nautilus was largely complete at this point, only three and a half months of fitting out work remained before her commissioning.

From orignial glass plate negatives in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

March 15, 1930. A huge number of people have gathered, from distinguished guests to yard workers and the general public. People are spread out everywhere, on the gantries to the left to the roofs of the buildings on the right. Dozens of photographers, reporters, and motion picture people are present, ready to record the big event. This was only four and a half months after the great stock market crash and the beginning of the Great Depression; perhaps the crowds can be explained by the need for something positive to experience.

Photo courtesy of Darryl Baker

Guests are ascending the stairs to the viewing platform. A Marine is guarding the stairs, and apparently Boy Scouts are being used as ushers.

Photo courtesy of Darryl Baker

The viewing platform is loaded with distinguished guests. Most likely the mayors of Vallejo and San Francisco are present, with some other local politicians. Most likely the Governor is in attendance, along with several ranking military officers. Oftentimes these guests will bring their wives and some children, and this accounts for the varied crowd on the platform.

Photo courtesy of Darryl Baker

A portion of the huge and varied crowd. Many white hat sailors and officers are present, and it seems as if the Marines and Boy Scouts are involved with crowd control.

Photo courtesy of Darryl Baker

A close up of V-6 just prior to her launch. Both of her port side torpedo tubes are visible behind the platform, along with one of her anchors and the port side folded up bow plane. Above the bow plane is the slit in the superstructure that houses the fold-out mine cable cutting gear. There are a large number of yard workers on her deck, with some of the boat's crew sprinkled in among them. There is a white banner hung on her bow that says "Mare Island".

Photo courtesy of Darryl Baker

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A series of close ups that show the moment when the traditional bottle of champagne is swinging to christen the V-6. The first two photos show the bottle in mid swing, with a gentleman on the deck above watching it with concern. The third and fourth photos show two officers, a Lieutenant Commander and a Commander looking up as the bottle swings, and the fifth shows three movie men recording the boat as it is about to slide. The man in the beret and leather jacket is from the Cecil B. DeMille Studio in Culver City, CA.

Photo series courtesy of Darryl Baker

V-6 begins her slide to the water, March 15, 1930.

Photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman

Another view of the launch, March 15, 1930.

Photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman

V-6 very close to being waterborne. She still rests in her launch/construction cradle, and that cradle is sliding down highly greased ways. Her slide will be slowed and arrested by cables seen secured down on the left. Those cables are attached to heavy piles of chain that will pay out as she slides. Tugs stand by in the Napa River to maneuver her back to the fitting out pier once she is waterborne and free of the cradle.

Photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman

V-6 waterborne, with a tug already tied up and ready to move her to the fitting out pier. V-6 is sitting high in the water as much equipment will still be installed over the next few months.

Original glass plate negative in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

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