L-11
Photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman.
L-11 seen here in Portland Harbor, England after WWI ended, probably late November, 1918. The view is looking from aft (right) to forward (left). Behind her is the L-1 and the L-3.
A caption on the back of the photo says, "U.S. Submarine AL-11 which we fired on by mistake on Nov 4th" which implies that the photo taker was on a surface craft of some sort. We don't see any mention of this on DANFS account of the L-11 service. No doubt it should be in her logbooks for November 4, 1918.
Photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman.
This photos shows three L-class submarines and the N-2 (SS-54), potentially in port at Hamilton, Bermuda, October 1920. L-11 is the third boat out from the pier. The men are actually standing on the 2nd L-boat in the nest, and the L-11 is moored behind them. The three hook-shaped objects sticking up from the deck near the men are hydrophones for an early version of the Y-tube passive sonar.
This photo was originally a postcard. The owner of the postcard (likely one of the men on the 2nd boat) hand wrote the words on the bottom, indicating that the photo was taken in Bermuda during the 1920 voyage. However, the DANFS entry for L-11 indicates that the L-11 never made it to Bermuda due to engine trouble, having turned around while en route. So it is possible that this photo was taken either before the voyage or after, and the owner wrote on the postcard indicating to his family that they had been to Bermuda. If this photo was taken after the voyage the location could possibly be at Naval Station Norfolk, VA.
Original postcard in the private collection of David Johnston
L-11 seen here approximately 1922-1923 moored to a civilian dock. The location is unknown, but it would be somewhere on the U.S. east coast. She visited a variety of ports in this period, including Richmond, VA., Baltimore, MD., and Bermuda. L-11 decommissioned at Hampton Roads, Va., 28 November 1923, and was scrapped 28 November 1933.
In this photo all exterior markings from WW I have been removed but the steel chariot bridge that proved so successful in crew protection and allowing quick dives is retained and will become the standard for many subsequent classes of submarine. Her 3"/23 caliber deck gun is in its raised position. A crowd of civilians have gathered to look her over. Note the vintage car on the dock.
Photo in the private collection of Ric Hedman.
Page created by:
Ric Hedman & David Johnston
1999 - 2023 - PigBoats.COM©
Mountlake Terrace, WA, Norfolk, VA
webmaster at pigboats dot com
