V-1/Barracuda, V-2/Bass, and V-3/Bonita (Fleet Submarines)
Photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman
V-2, V-1 & V-3 moored starboard side to the USS Argonne (AS-10), most likely San Diego, CA circa 1927. The unique shape of the bow was designed with the hope that it would provide better surface sea keeping. It did not work as hoped and these boats proved to be quite wet in heavy seas. Many think the design is reminiscent of a shark with an anchor in its mouth. It was unique in the USN. All three boats have their forward radio mast raised. This mast would penetrate the pressure hull when retracted, being housed between the forward torpedo tubes.
V-4 (SM-1) about ready to launch, aproximately November 6, 1927. The yard has yet to 'dress ship' for the occasion, meaning draping the signal flags from the top of the periscope to the bow and stern and hoisting the Union Jack and American Flag. She was launched on November 10, 1927, probably a few days away, at Portsmouth Navy Yard, Kittery, Maine. V-4 was the USN's only purpose-built minelaying submarine, and was the largest submarine built for the USN until the nuclear powered USS Triton (SSRN-586) of 1959.
The Dolphin just beginning her slide down the ways at the Portsmouth Navy Yard on March 8, 1932. Her hull superstructure is only completed from the bow to about the conning tower area. Note the "D1" visual identifier on her bow. There are smatterings of Navy crew in amongst the shipyard worker riding the submarine down the ways. At the bow the Portsmouth Navy Yard banner is flying. It reads backwards because the back of the banner is only seen by the camera. There seems to be a distinct lack of bunting and ceremony involved in this launch. Perhaps due to it being several years into the Great Depression and the government needed to show signs of austerity.
