S-50

S-50 on her launch day, June 18, 1921 at the Lake Torpedo Boat Company yards, Bridgeport, CT. The heavy cable attached to her bullnose with shackles is part of a launch arresting system. It prevented the boat from gaining too much momentum as it slid down the ways and prevented it from gliding all the way to the opposite side of Bridgeport Harbor once it was waterborne.

USN photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

This photo shows S-50 underway in Long Island Sound, NY in 1923. S-50 spent most of 1923 undergoing a refit at the Brooklyn Navy Yard and testing in the Long Island and Block Island Sounds. She and her sisters were fine looking boats that epitomized the design aesthetic of the U.S. Navy of the 1920's.

USN photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

S-50 in the company of a small boat, January 1924. The location was most likely in the Caribbean, as she was involved in major fleet exercises that also took her to Coco Solo, Panama.

USN photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

A fine shot of S-50 in drydock at what is likely the Brooklyn Navy Yard, late 1924 or early 1925. Earlier in 1924 she had suffered a serious battery fire that required several months of repair and refitting at Portsmouth and Groton, with follow up work and a hull cleaning done at Brooklyn. A high pressure water hose is being used to do an initial cleaning of the hull, preparatory to a thorough scraping to remove marine growth. The guards over her permanently rigged out below-water bow planes can be clearly seen here.

Photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

S-50 is shown here alongside a pier at what is likely the Brooklyn Navy Yard, late 1924 or early 1925. In this picture an awning has been erected on the forward deck over the gun. This would indicate that this photo was taken in the summer.

USN photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

A view of S-50's gun deck, likely taken at the same time as the photo above, at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, late 1924 or early 1925. Details of the Mk 9 gun's breech mechanism can be seen. The watertight cover that is normally in place over the breech has been removed. Below and to the right of the gun the deck cover over one of the ship's small boats has been removed, likely for boat maintenance. This boat is fairly small, and was probably used as a utility boat for over-the-side repairs, painting, or running mail. A second boat may have been carried on the opposite side of the gun deck.

Photo NH 42835 courtesy of the NHHC.

A view of the S-50's forward deck, taken from the bridge. The date and location is unknown, but is circa 1925. This is likely a staged photo, with the three sailors playing a game of catch.

Photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

A photo of S-50 taken from the USS Vestal (AR-4) during the S-51 salvage operation, just off Block Island, 1925 or 1926.

International Newsreel photo from the book On The Bottom, by Edward Ellsberg, 1929.

S-50 coming alongside the USS Vestal (AR-4) during the S-51 salvage operation, fall of 1925. S-50 was used as a training vessel for divers, so that they could familiarize themselves with the configuration of the S-51 before heading to the bottom.

International Newsreel photo from the book On The Bottom, by Edward Ellsberg, 1929.

In the early stages of the S-51 salvage operation, S-50 was used to supply high pressure air to sealed off compartments on S-51 so that they could be dewatered. In this photo, the S-50 has just emptied her air banks, and the S-3 (SS-107), also a part of the salvage force, is maneuvering to take her place.

International Newsreel photo from the book On The Bottom, by Edward Ellsberg, 1929.

Another photo very similar to the one above, showing S-50 blowing air down to the S-51 while S-3 stands ready to assist.

Photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

S-50 entering port at what is likely the Brooklyn Navy Yard, during or just after her participation in the S-51 salvage operation, August, 1926. Line handlers are on deck, with several men holding heaving lines in their hands, ready to throw to the pier. These small lines are then used to haul over the heavy mooring lines.

The ship in the background with the white hull is the stores ship USS Bridge (AF-1). The Bridge was a frequent participant in both Atlantic and Pacific Fleet exercises as part of the supply train. The Bridge was not configured for underway replenishment, as that technology was still in its infancy in the mid 1920's. Instead, she would meet up with the fleet while in forward ports and transfer supplies there. Bridge did not generally carry fuel or ammunition, specializing in food and general stores like spare parts.

Photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

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