R-19

R-19 crew photographed at Pearl Harbor in 1921. The officer on the left is Lt. Roy Kehlor Jones, captain of the R-19. Jones was to later lose his life while in command of the S-4 when she was fatally rammed and sunk with all hands on December 17, 1927.

Photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman

R-19 seen diving in this undated photo. Based on the paint scheme this looks to be taken about 1925. Location is also unknown but is likely in Hawaiian waters. The back of the photo has a reference date of April 7, 1931. As this is from a newspaper archive it may have been used in a story about the submarines' impending decommissioning the next month on May 15, 1931. That is only a publication date, not necessarily the date the photo was taken.

The R-19, like many of the R-class, was destined to sit in reserve in Philadelphia for the rest of the 1930's. She was recommissioned January 6, 1941 as the war situation in Europe deteriorated. On March 9, 1942, R-l9 was decommissioned from the U.S. Navy. She was transferred to the Royal Navy under the terms of the Lend-Lease Act the same day. Commissioned in that Navy as P514, the submarine was rammed by HMCS Georgian June 21, 1942 in the western Atlantic. She went down with all hands aboard.

Photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman

R-19 seen from the port side, approximately 1925. The lighting on this photo makes it appear to be painted black, indicating a later date, but close examination reveals that she is still painted haze gray, and along with the presence of the Y-tube sonar at the bow this places the date in the mid 1920's.

Photo NH 108241 via NHHC.

Return to the R-class page | Return to the Submarine Classes page

Page created by:
Ric Hedman & David Johnston
1999 - 2023 - PigBoats.COM^©
Mountlake Terrace, WA, Norfolk, VA
webmaster at pigboats dot com