V-5 is seen here just prior to launch on December 17, 1929 at the Portsmouth Navy Yard in Kittery, ME. The submarine is dressed with flags and bunting. It was a cold snowy day. The white on the left foreground is snow. The smooth shiny surface is actually water. The tracks of the skid-way can be seen beneath the surface. V-5's aft torpedo tubes can be seen under the tip of the stern.
U.S. Navy photo
V-5 being maneuvered to the pier side after being launched during a snow storm. The funnels of two tugs can be seen on the other side of the V-5. Onlookers and members of the press can be seen standing in the snowstorm. Two cameramen can be seen carrying tripods and another, a helper most likely, is carrying equipment. The pennant flag on the right says "PORTS. NAVY YARD" for Portsmouth Navy Yard. The dark stripe midships is a small boat boarding access. A door will be fitted to it at a later date.
U.S. Navy photo
V-5 post launch with guests, family, and friends looking on as the huge submarine is moored and made fast to the pier. Spring lines can be seen running fore and aft from the cleat on the right. The dark stripe midships is a small boat boarding access. A door will be fitted to it at a later date. The people standing nearby give a good reference as to how large this submarine really was. The muzzle door of one of the non-firing deck torpedo stowage tubes can just be seen under the forward gun deck, underneath the officer that is leaning to his right.
U.S. Navy photo
Finishing the process of mooring V-5 to the pier following her launch. The periscope shears are not yet complete and the guns have not been installed. The angled object in the center is a powered ammunition hoist for the aft 6"/53 caliber gun. The shells and powder charges for these guns were too heavy to be lifted with man-power alone. A year and a half of fitting out work remained before she would be commissioned.
