Misc Dolphin photos

Dolphin just beginning her slide down the ways at Portsmouth Navy Yard on March 8, 1932. Her hull superstructure is only completed from the bow to about the conning tower area.

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. You may notice that in subsequent photos that there are anchors on both bows. This was later reduced to only one anchor per submarine.

There seems to be a distinct lack of bunting and ceremony involved in this launch. Perhaps due it being several years into the Great Depression and the government needed to show signs of austerity.

U.S. Navy photo

The newly launched Dolphin floating free of her builder's cradle at Portsmouth Navy Yard March 8, 1932. The incomplete state of her superstructure aft of the conning tower is evident. The large "barrels" on her aft deck are the huge mufflers for her main diesel engines. Not yet installed is the after escape trunk. It is a brisk, windy day! This primitive state of completion upon launch was not typical of the Navy yards at the time. Usually the boats were 65% plus complete at launching. Why the Dolphin was launched in this state is not known.

U.S. Navy photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman

A close up of the photo above, showing details of the conning tower and the fairwater framing.

U.S. Navy photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman

The newly launched Dolphin being warped to the pier by a tug at Portsmouth Navy Yard, March 6, 1932.

U.S. Navy photo

Launch crew pose for photos after the Dolphin has been warped to the pier following her launching, March 6, 1932.

The Officers seen here are from Left to Right: Executive Officer, Lt Robert Eugene Blue; Commanding Officer; Lt John B. Griggs Jr.; Ltjg David E. Roth, and Ensign J. B. Johnson. The place the men are standing is sloped up to the right so that is why the photo looks strange. The cameraman "leveled" the picture to the deck.

U.S. Navy photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman