R-18

R-18 is seen here circa mid 1920's at Pearl Harbor. She is making a static test dive or submergence test of the forward section of the submarine. On the bridge can be seen an officer or maybe a Chief observing what is happening. There is a crewman standing on the back deck, perhaps to tend lines to the dock and other submarine. Having men on deck during a static dive would normally be a cringe worthy thing to do, but in this case there was no need to worry. Pearl Harbor was shallow enough that most likely the R-18 was already sitting on the bottom so there was no fear of endangering the men topside. The submarine alongside to the left in the photo is the R-12 (SS-89). That is known from the "X" marking on the side of the fairwater.

Photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman

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