General C-class photos

An unidentified C class submarine, date unknown. The sub maybe in transit to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba or Panama. We believe she is making an extended surface run. Note the small boat tied to the starboard side of the fairwater. She would not dive with this boat lashed up like that. Secondly, notice the square "trunk" just aft of the bridge. I have not seen this before. It must be temporary in nature and was rigged to allow the aft hatch to be opened for access topside during an extended surface run. Having that hatch open during a run in anything but glass calm seas would inevitably lead to flooding through the hatch, thus the trunk was rigged to keep the waves out. It would also allow better air flow to the engines, providing a different path for air flow instead of down the conning tower hatch.

Photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

Five C-boats and the tender USS Severn together in drydock at the Norfolk Navy Yard, Portsmouth, VA., February 11, 1911. The submarines are, left to right and back to front are the Stingray, Salmon, Bonita, Tarpon, and Snapper. Portions of the aft superstructure have been removed over the engine mufflers. This could be a class wide refit of the engine exhaust systems.

Photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

Another view of the above photo taken February 11, 1911. Seen left to right, front to back are; Salmon, Bonita, Stingray, (back) Snapper, Tarpon. The submarine tender USS Severn is in the back of the dock. Note the different shape of the bow of the Bonita.

Just why the bow caps of these submarines are painted a light color is unknown. One theory could be they have been painted with zinc chromate as an anti-corrosion coating before being painted with regular hull colors. The yellow of the zinc chromate would show up as white in black and white photography.

Photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

A C-class submarine in drydock at an unknown location, possibly Norfolk or Portsmouth, 1909-1911. The boat is sitting on keel blocks, but the timbers on each side ensure the boat stays upright in the drydock.

Photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman.

Four C-class submarines moored to the port side of the USS Severn. These subs are speculated to be Tarpon, Octopus, Bonita and Stingray based on a photo from another angle. The time frame is circa pre-November 1911. Location is possibly New York Harbor.

Two of the four submarines have dory type skiffs pulled up on their fore decks for transport to shore. There is a Severn crewman in the lifeboat leaning out and looking at the cameraman as the photo is taken. There are three men on deck on the left hand sub plus one on the bridge. On the third sub from the left there is a man on the bridge and a man has climbed down a ladder on the side of the Severn and is stepping onto the pressure hull of the inboard boat. Two of the boats have their engines started.

U.S. Navy photo

A post card version of the photo on the previous page. All five C-class submarines entering the Gatun Locks in the Panama Canal on March 9, 1914. The locks were going to be used as a makeshift drydock. Since the canal was not yet fully open, this could be allowed. After the opening of the canal, an operation like this would not be allowed since it would effectively close the canal.

Photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman.