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Sealion sliding down the ways at the Electric Boat Company, Groton, CT. at 4:15 pm on May 25, 1939. She was the 131st vessel built for the U.S. Navy by Electric Boat.

Photo provided by MMCM(SS) Greg Peterman, USN (Ret.)

Sealion on her launch day, May 25, 1939 at the Electric Boat Company in Groton CT. The Sealion is floating on her own for the first time just moments after her launch into the Thames River. The photo caption stating that it was a somber launch as recovery efforts were ongoing to salvage the Squalus.

AP Wire photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

Sealion conducting sea trials and measured mile runs surfaced and submerged off Provincetown, Massachusetts, late summer 1939. Here she is cruising past the camera boat for a series of publicity photos. What looks like a man on the deck forward of the conning tower is actually the mount for a .50 caliber machine gun.

U.S. Navy photo.

Another view of Sealion on trials in Cape Cod Bay, MA. late summer of 1939. In this photo there are two men on deck alongside the conning tower fairwater. Both appear to be officers based on their uniforms. They may be topside verifying the rig for dive.

U.S. Navy photo.