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The C-Boats
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All five of the C-Class submarines are seen together entering (note lock door above submarines) the middle east chamber of the Gatun locks on March 9, 1914 prior to the official opening of the Panama Canal. The Panama Canal was officially opened on August 25, 1914. The submarines are entering the locks to use them as an impromptu dry dock.

The Submarines are left to right the C-4, C-5, C-2, C-3 and C-1. The Sub Div designators are on their conning towers as a "1" over another number, ( this being their position in the division ). The C-1 is 1 over 3; the C-3 is 1 over 5; the C-2 is 1 over 1 (flagship); C-5 is 1 over 4 and the C-4 is 1 over 2.

Seen on the conning tower of the C-5 (second from left) in the white broad brimmed hat is probably the civilian pilot to guide the submarines through the canal. The is still done to this day.

National Archives Photo

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This close up of the USS C-1 and C-3. There are a number of things going on here. The first being the Officer sitting in mid air with his feet on the lifelines. In actuality he is sitting on the topside steering gear that was mounted horizontally aft of the conning tower and just to the port side. This was the only C-class with such a feature. The whole mechanism could be pulled free and sent below prior to diving. This was a hold over from the A and B classes with the same horizontally mounted steering.

Second, it can be noted that though the lines aft seem to be quite slack the submarines are held together quite tightly by mooring line attached to the lower cleats mounted to the pressure hull. A block and tackle for pulling the vessels together can be seen at the stern of each submarine. One the vessels were snugged together and the mooring lines attached the tackle was slacked. This can be seem more clearly between the other submarines. Once resting on the lock bottom the tackle was used to hold the bracing between the submarines in place

Thirdly, there are gangplanks placed between all the vessels. The submarines were going to be using the lock as a dry dock and these were used to move from one submarine to another. Other photos show these submarine in the identical configuration as to placement.

National Archives Photo

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National Archives Photo

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National Archives Photo

A Lock full of Submarines.
All 5 C boats together in Panama Canal
All 5 "C" boats together in Panama Canal. A colorized version of the above photo.
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Norfolk, Virginia February 11, 1911. The submarines seen here, from left to right and back to front in the photo, are the USS Stingray, C-2; USS Salmon, D-3; USS Bonita, C-4; (Front) USS Tarpon, C-3 and USS Snapper, C-5. The Submarine tender USS Severn is the large ship in dock with them.

Photo in the Private Collection Of Ric Hedman

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Another view of the above photo taken February 11, 1911. Seen left to right, front to back are; USS Bonita, C-4; USS Salmon, D-3; USS Stingray, C-2; (back) USS Snapper, C-5 and USS Tarpon, C-3. The submarine Tender USS Severn is in the back of the dock.

Just why the bow caps of these submarines are painted a light color is unknown. One theory could be they have been painted with Zinc Chromate as an anti corrosion coating before being painted with regular hull colors. The yellow of the Zinc Chromate would show up as white in black and white photography.

Photo in the Private Collection Of Ric Hedman

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Just about all that can be said for this photo is that it shows a "C" class submarine in dry dock at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. There just isn't enough significant detail to pinpoint which particular vessel this is. An extensive search of newspapers, which are a fairly reliable source of vessel movements, especially unique vessels such as submarines, has no locatable reference to this dry docking.

The submarine doesn't have a Allied Signal Bell installed on its after deck so this is an early photo. The bell was used as a means of communication while underwater. The bell was carried by US submarines through the H class submarines.

Photo in the Private Collection Of Ric Hedman

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At least six or more submarine crew are on deck aft of the conning tower or on it. The person in civilian clothes may be a visitor or a shipyard employee. Three men in suits are on the dry dock wall observing the submarine.

Photo in the Private Collection Of Ric Hedman

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The rudders and stern planes as well as the twin propellers are shown in detail here. We know this isn't an A or B class submarine because of the twin propellers. The C class was the first such US submarine to have this arrangement. Thanks to submarine historian Dave Johnston for this insight.

There is, at the left, another submarine presumed to be of the same class. All that can be discerned is that the submarine has a rotating bow cap. This is evidenced by the tiny stub of the rotating rod protruding from the front of the bow.

Photo in the Private Collection Of Ric Hedman

USS C-1
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This is a C class submarine. There are little clues as to who this is. One of the most compelling is the deck mounted steering wheel. It is mounted in a horizontal position and is removable. Using photographic research we have only seen this arrangement on one C class submarine. The Octopus or C-1. Photos of the other submarines of this class do not show this feature. All this means is that it wasn't photographed on the other submarines if it existed. Photo taken before the installation of the Allied Signal Bell on the aft deck.

Submarine historian Dave Johnston relates that the A class and B class had similar deck mounted steering except at the forward end of the conning tower. Only the C-1 was so fitted in the aft location before the steering was moved, with linkages, to the bridge area. We can, with some confidence, speculate this is the Octopus or C-1. What the time frame is is also unknown. Perhaps circa 1910 to 1912, maybe earlier. An other submarine is at right in the photo, stern on. It is supposed that this may be a C class as well. Not enough detail. Location is thought to be the Newport, Rhode Island area where the Navy kept a torpedo station.

Photo in the Private Collection Of Ric Hedman

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The man on deck does not seem to be involved in steering. He is leaning against the wire lifeline with his hands in his pockets. The activity on the bridge is more of a mystery. The right side profile of one sailor can be made out. To his right might be another sailor but detail is lacking to make out anything definitive. On the starboard side of the bridge there is what looks to be folded chart draped over a brace holding the canvas bridge cloth. If the bay was shallow a chart is necessary for remaining in a safe channel.

In the background is a dredge that might belong to the navy. This is no way to confirm ownership. The dredge would be used to deepen channels and anchorages and make the waterway safe for shipping. As evidenced by the number of pleasure craft anchored this must be public harbor used by civilians and the Navy.

Photo in the Private Collection Of Ric Hedman

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An other submarine is at right in the photo, stern on. It is supposed that this may be a C class as well. Not enough detail. Location is thought to be the Newport, Rhode Island area where the Navy kept a torpedo station.

Photo in the Private Collection Of Ric Hedman

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The C-Class submarine Octopus at high speed heading for home. A long low coastline is in the background. There seems to be a large square building sitting on the land all by itself. At this time frame Octopus operated out of both Newport, RI and/or Norfolk, VA

The comparisons between this photo and the one below have a remarkable match making us feel confident that this is Octopus even to the color and location of clothing worn and placement of people and the open torpedo hatch.

Photo provided by the late Rick Larson MMCM (SS) (ret.)

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This looks to be the submarine Octopus, seen at slower speed, seen a few minutes later as it sails deeper into the harbor. Trees and buildings and other structures are now showing in the background. A ship looks to be anchored in the left background. Note installed Allied Signal Bell on after deck.

Consultation with submarine historian David Johnston lead us to conclude this is Octopus. Octopus was the only C-Class submarine with a vertical, deck mounted, topside steering wheel, mounted just aft and to port of the conning tower. Such an object can be made out in this photo. The man at the helm has his back to the camera and head turned forward. The other C-Class had bridge mounted steering.

Photo provided by the late Rick Larson MMCM (SS) (ret.)

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Four C-class submarines moored to the port side of the USS Severn. These subs are speculated to be Tarpon, Octopus, Bonita and Stingray based on a photo from another angle. The time frame is circa pre-November 1911. Location is possibly New York Harbor.

Two of the four submarines have dory type skiffs pulled up on their fore decks for transport to shore. There is a Severn crewman in the life boat leaning out and looking at the cameraman as the photo is taken. There are three men on deck on the left hand sub plus one on the bridge. On the third sub from the left there is a man on the bridge and a man has climbed down a ladder on the side of the Severn and is stepping onto the pressure hull of the inboard boat.

US Navy Photo

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This photo shows three C-Class submarines in the third or inner lock of the three Gatun Locks. We know the location because of the presence of the tall thin lighthouse at the inner door between the second and third locks. This lighthouse still stands today and can be seen by any and that pass through the canal. This view then means that the vessels are traveling into the canal and Gatun lake.

Everything look pretty brand new. The locks were officially opened on August 25, 1914 and the five C-Boats were officially sent to Panama to scout Panamanian ports and harbors for suitability for US Submarines on December 7, 1913. They were redesignated First Division and escorted by four surface ships. Their destination was Cristobal, C.Z. on the Atlantic side of the canal

These submarines were responsible for the discovery of the suitability of what was to become Coco Solo and the Submarine Base there.

The five C-Class were accompanied by four surface ships but the record fails to say what kinds of vessels these were. The four masted cargo ship in the rear could be part of the four. That would make this a very early passage through the canal.

Until someone actually gets the Log Books for these submarines out of the National Archives and locates the dates for this crossing , it is entirely possible that these submarines may be some of the first vessels through the canal. They were at Cristobal for eight months prior to the "official" opening. They may well have made trial transits prior to the date open to the public.

There are a about a hundred, more or less, people standing at the lock wall watching the little boats go through. A number of navy-men with their wives are present and I suspect civilian workers who are running or supervising the canal are there too. A number are on the other side of the lock.

Photo in the Private Collection Of Ric Hedman

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This photo has three of the five C-Class submarines. One of the submarines we know isn't in this photo is the USS C-4. She was rebuilt with a new bow early on and was the prototype for the style of bow used on later classes D, E and F classes. That leave the possibility of the C-1, C-2, C-3 and C-5 being in this photo. The quality is of such that positive ID is pretty much impossible. Again, it will take looking over all the log books for this time for these submarines.

The close up shows the lighthouse and the four vessels in the lock defining the exact location.

Photo in the Private Collection Of Ric Hedman

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The closeup of the three submarine displays little more about them. They do reveal that the crews are dressed for the tropics in white uniform pants and white T-shirts. The Navy was yet to come up with the "Tropical White Shirt" that was used in later years.

One of the engines, called "Mules", that towed the vessels through the locks can be seen in the upper left corner of the image.

Photo in the Private Collection Of Ric Hedman

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In this last close-up it looks down the locks to the Atlantic side of the canal. It can be clearly seen that the lock in the forefront of the photo is higher in elevation than the bay behind.

Photo in the Private Collection Of Ric Hedman

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All 5 of the C-Class submarines stationed at Panama are seen entering a dry docking in the East High Chamber of the Gatun Locks of the Panama Canal. There were no other dry docking arrangements to be had at this time. The wetness on the lock walls suggest this is letting the water out of the lock.

The Gatun Locks raised the vessels a total of 85 feet to the level of the Gatun Lake in three separate "Chambers". The Low, Middle and High Chambers. Each chamber had several lock doors that only allowed the needed size of the lock to be raised or lowered rather than taking the time to fill or empty the whole lock.

Time Frame for these photos are circa March/April 1914. This photo was used in a April 2, 1914 issue of the Christian Science Monitor newspaper story about the event. The submarines were rafted together and towed by hand, by the combines crews, into the lock and as interior lock doors were passed they were closed until the submarines were in the smallest portion, 400 feet long. No Lock traffic was impeded as the locks had not officially opened for business. The Locks officially opened in July 1914.

Photo provided by the late Rick Larson MMCM (SS) (ret.)

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In this close-up of all 5 of the C-Class submarines in the Gatun Lock shows crew stationed at the stern of each submarine to ensure the subs are properly aligned on their cradles. Water depth is probably just enough to float and maneuverer these little vessels.

Photo provided by the late Rick Larson MMCM (SS) (ret.)

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The 5 C-Class high and dry in the East High Chamber of the Gatun Locks at the Panama Canal. The hand written caption in the upper right seems to be in error against other published descriptions of the event. The subs are L to R; C-1, C-2, C-3, C-5 and C-4.

Photo provided by the late Rick Larson MMCM (SS) (ret.)

USS C-1(ex-Octopus) SS 9
USS C-1(ex-Octopus) SS 9
USS C-1 (Octopus) SS 9
USS C-1 (Octopus)
USS C-1 (Octopus)
USS C-1
USS C-1
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USS C-1 Torpedo Room showing the Torpedo Tubes and the ships Edison, Model 23-W, alkaline battery. It consists of 120 cells and had a capacity of 2550 Amps at a 3 hour discharge rate.

The wooden planks that cover the battery have been removed to show the individual plates and if you look closely you can see the small wood wedges that hold the plates that designed distances from each other. When the decking is replaced it is screwed down and covered with a canvas that is shellacked down to make the deck waterproof. The shellack gives the decks a green color.

US Navy Photo

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USS C-1 (Octopus)

Detail from the above image. USS C-1 torpedo tubes showing the torpedo loading cable winches, sight glasses and associated piping and bow cap opening and closing hand wheel. A reload torpedo was positioned in front of the open tube door and a cable reeved through the pulley over the top center of each door from the winches seen above the and then to the the rear of the torpedo.

On the outboard side of each winch drum are engaging handles to lock the drums onto a rotating shaft so you could only turn the selected winch drum and not the other. There is a long shaft running to what must have been a turning handle on the Port side of the submarine but is obscured by anchor windlass motor gearing.

To the right of the Starboard winch drum you can see an early interior communication sound powered phone system. It isn't clear if there are two handsets for listening but most likely you spoke into one and listened on the other. The cabling for these seems to come out of the large dial with the handsets on either side. It may be a way to dial specific stations in the submarine.

The valve handle in the top center is the "Forward Main Ballast Vent" opening and closing handle. When you dove someone had to open and close this valve to vent the tank of air.

US Navy Photo

USS C-1

USS C-1. Close up of the torpedo tubes. You can see the loading cables passing through a pulley just over each door center. The sight gauges between the tubes show how much water is in each tube. You want to make sure the tube is dry before opening, especially since the battery is just a few feet away.

US Navy Photo

USS C-1

USS C-1. Detail of the port torpedo loading winch cable drum at the image top. To the left is the handle that allows the drum to be selected for use while leaving the starboard drum disengaged. There is a similar handle on the starboard cable drum to select or deselect that winch. The large handled wheel is used to open and close the rotating bow cap that protects the outer ends of the torpedo tubes from damage. At the top is an inclinometer to show angles of list or roll the sub is experiencing. The dial on the right is a mechanical indicator for what position the bow cap is in. Behind the bow cap wheel to the left is a horizontal handle that is used to "seat and unseat" the bow cap into either the open or closed positions after it has been rotated. It appears to be chained into position.

US Navy Photo

USS C-1

USS C-1. Detail of the "Forward Main Ballast Vent" valve handle. To dive the valve was manually opened and air could escape from the forward group of ballast tanks allowing them to fill with water. When surfacing this valve had to be in the closed position to not allow air from escaping the tanks. The incoming air pushes the water out of the bottom of the tanks.

US Navy Photo

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USS C-1 (Octopus)

USS C-1 Control Room looking aft and to the Starboard side. To quote submarine historian David Johnston; "Reminds me of how "primitive" those boats were. No internal bulkheads, [maneuvering] cubicle in the control room, open knife switches, etc. OSHA would have a field day! We have really come a long way since then."

These are the electrical distribution panels used to control current flow from the generators to the battery, battery to the electric motors and power distribution for assorted electrical equipment. You can see the Starboard engine through the open doorway.

At the top right corner of the photo are control rods for the Stern Planes (right) and the Rudder (left). The square panel below the rods, and a similar one on the left, are Shaft Rotation counters. They roll over like the odometer in a car. The large meters to the inside of the counters are Volt meters.

In the top left corner the large dark object looks to be a very big fan. Probably to cool the boat and prevent the build up of gasoline fumes and or hydrogen gas from the batteries.

The two panels handle the electrical to and from the battery and or the motors/generators for each shaft.

For a sense of scale, an average person today, standing in this space, could read the cards on the sloping desk above the center opening to the engine compartment. Headroom would probably be a scant 6 feet.

US Navy Photo

Comparison Photos of Known C Class Electrical Panels
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The view looking aft in an unidentified C-Class submarine. The panel arrangement shows a higher level of refinement to the construction.

The view shows the deck access ladder leading up from the Starboard side and into the Conning Tower where the fixed periscope and helm were.

At the mid right side a large vise is attached to a small suspended work bench. Below that the electric motor for the Trim and Bilge pump.

Photo in the Private Collection Of Ric Hedman

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This photo is attributed to being taken aboard the USS C-4. The view shows a Machinist Mate (no Enginemen in those days) tending the Starboard Gas Engine. Over the mans' head are the Rudder and Stern Plane control rods.

The view shows further refinements to the instrumentation. The addition of easy to see and read indicators telling the status of each shaft. The clock says the photo was taken at 11:50 but if it is AM or PM is unknown. We assume AM.

The vessel is probably undergoing some maintenance. The Port Shaft Counter has been removed. The paint circle is visible on the bulkhead. To the right is seen a black rectangular object. That is believed to the electric motor that drove the counter from a small generator on the propeller shaft.

Photo provided by the late Rick Larson MMCM (SS) (ret.)

End Of Comparison Photos

USS C-1 eletrical panel

USS C-1 electrical distribution panel. This panel controlled general electrical power throughout the submarine.

US Navy Photo

USS C-1 eletrical panel

USS C-1 electrical distribution panel. This panel controlled electrical input and output to and from the Starboard motor as well as forward and reverse.

US Navy Photo

USS C-1 eletrical panel

USS C-1 electrical distribution panel. This panel controlled electrical input and output to and from the Port motor as well as forward and reverse.

US Navy Photo

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USS C-1 (Octopus)

USS C-1 Trim Pump. Located in the aft port corner of the Control Room. It was used to pump sea water from and to the forward and after trim tanks, Auxiliary Tanks and bilges.

US Navy Photo

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USS C-1 (Octopus)

USS C-1 Engine Room looking aft between the two gasoline engines. The 500 horsepower electrical motors for driving the submarine while submerged can be seen as two rounded objects just behind the engines.

US Navy Photo

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USS C-1 (Octopus)

USS C-1 Engine Room looking forward. The camera is just aft of the reduction gears and 500 horsepower main electrical motors. The view between the gasoline engines gives a tantalizing look into the Control Room.

US Navy Photo

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USS C-1 (Octopus)

USS C-1 Engine Room looking aft and to port over the top of the port reduction gear at what may be the high pressure air charging system.

US Navy Photo

USS C-2
Here is a unique set of photos, all taken about the same time, of the same subject matter.
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October 30, 1912, New York City. The submarines USS Snapper and USS Stingray are moored to the west end of the 135th street pier on Manhattan Island. The submarine tender USS Severn, seen rear right, is moored to the same pier on the north side.

Crowds of people stand on the pier to get glimpses of these strange new underwater craft. In the background, (left), anchored in the Hudson River, is the Battleship New Jersey and, center, is the Battleship Georgia. This is probably the 1912 Presidential Review.

The left hand submarine lifering the name "Snapper" can be read rather easily. The right hand submarine the beginnings of the name "Stingray" are a bit more difficult but doable to read.

Library of Congress Photo, Bain Collection

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The same view and probably taken only a short time after the above photo. (Note; the coil of line has been removed aft of the Signal Bell and the confusion of lines aft of the Fairwater has also been removed). Some of the same people in the first photo are visible in this photo. The inboard submarine was mis-identified as Octopus (C-1) and was printed on the postcard. Same anchored ships are visible. At least one destroyer can be made out in the far left background.

A discussion ensued between submarine historian David Johnston and myself and we feel secure in believing the photo saying the two submarines are Snapper and Stingray is the correct identification. As was possible at that time, the identification was scratched onto the glass plate negative at the time the image was taken. The writing on this image was put on by an printer at a postcard factory.

Several arguments against this being Octopus.
1. In the previous photo, looking at the lifering, the beginnings of the name "Stingray" can be easily read.
2. Octopus had a topside steering station at the aft, port end of the Conning Tower Fairwater. That is absent but visible in many Octopus photos.

It is entirely possible both images were taken by photographer George Grantham Bain and one was purchased for postcard printing.

Photo provided by the late Rick Larson MMCM (SS) (ret.)

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Another view of the Snapper and Stingray. (Whole photo view and a close-up below). Possibly taken several days before or after the previous photos. We know this since the mooring lines leading to the photo takers location, in the previous two photos, is missing from this last image. The photographer for this photo has climbed the foremast rigging on the tender Severn to snap this photo. Perhaps he was a crew member assigned to the Severn.

The 3 over 2 seen on the Snappers' conning tower fairwater correspond to other known photos. The numbers refer to Submarine Division 3 and the lower number to the vessels place with in the Division. The inboard submarine displays a Division 3 number but the lower number can not be seen.

The one thing that keeps us believing the inboard submarine is Stingray is the fact that the submarine displays the same high aspect ventilator seen in other Stingray photos.

Also visible in all three images is the folded Fisherman Anchor on Snappers deck next to the fairwater.

Photo In Private Collection Of Ric Hedman

USS C-2 (ex-Stingray) SS 13
USS C-2 (ex-Stingray) SS 13

Crew muster

U.S.S. Stingray Submarine No. 13 was renamed C-2 on Nov 17, 1911
Hesskamp Clarence N. - Ensign - age 25 - Born: Wisconsin
Dailey Clarence A. - Ch. Gunners Mate - age 27 - Born: New York
Zeraphe Anton J. - Gunners Mate 2Cl - age 28 - Born: Germany
Salesbury Leslie W. - Gunners Mate 1Cl - age 23 - Born: Ohio
Hartmann Fred - Gunners Mate 2Cl - age 27 - Born: New York
Sullivan E****t - Gunners Mate 3Cl - age 23 - Born: New York
Mc Pherson William J. - Ch. Machinists Mate - age 47 - Born: Maine
Nelson Harry S. - Machinists Mate 1Cl - age 28 - Born: California
Murphy Thomas K. - Machinists Mate 1Cl - age 22 - Born: North Carolina
Saxton Albert B. - Machinists Mate 1Cl - age 28 - Born: New York
Nyland Thomas F. - Machinists Mate 2Cl - age 25 - Born: England
Grosskopf Charles J. - Machinists Mate 2Cl - age 32 - Born: Wisconsin
Meyer Frederich *. - Chief Electrician - age 26 - Born: Connecticut
Kr*c Edward J. - Electrician 1Cl - age 22 - Born: Illinois
Mosley James W. - Electrician 2Cl - age 23 - Born: Georgia
Walling Arthur R. - Electrician 2Cl - age 22 - Born: Illinois

Thank you to Linda Talbott of the US GenWeb Census Project ® for providing this information.
* = unknown letter
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USS C-2 with seven lady visitors posing for the camera.
Photo dated March 29, 1919 and the C-2 was at Coco Solo, Panama at that time
and was decommissioned there December 23, 1919. She was sold April 13, 1920.
From the Private collection of Ric Hedman

USS C-3
USS C-3 in 1912
A photo of the USS C-3 taken in 1912.
Photo courtesy of John Marsh whose father Lt. John Rodney Marsh
was a commanding Officer of the C-3 in 1918 in Panama.
Lt. John Rodney Marsh
Lt. John Rodney Marsh, CO of the USS C-3 in 1918, Panama.
Photo courtesy of John Marsh whose father Lt. John Rodney Marsh
was a commanding Officer of the C-3 in 1918 in Panama.
USS C-3 crew on deck, 1918
USS C-3 crew on deck Panama, 1918.
Lt Marsh is standing at end of gangplank fifth man from the left in this photo.
Caption says that two crews are shown in this photo.
That would explain the number of men shown here.
Photo courtesy of John Marsh whose father Lt. John Rodney Marsh
was a commanding Officer of the C-3 in 1918 in Panama.
C-3 returning to port
Back of photo reads in red as follows:
USS C-3 returning from dive, Nov. 11, 1918. Word had just been
recieved of signig of Armistice and whistle was tied down. (the ships
whistle was tied open and allowed to blow in celibration of the end of the war)
On the bridge, left to right JRM (Marsh), West, Sea (seaman),
Locke E1 (RO) (electrician / radio operator), on deck, Babcock GM2 (gunnersmate 2),
Drury CGM (chief gunnersmate), Bailey, GM3 (gunnersmate 3), Cormier, Sea (seaman)
Photo courtesy of John Marsh whose father Lt. John Rodney Marsh
was a commanding Officer of the C-3 in 1918 in Panama.

USS C-3 (ex-Tarpon) SS 14
USS C-3 SS 14
USS C-3  SS 14 in the Panama Canal
Crew muster

U.S.S. Tarpon Submarine No. 14 was renamed C-3 on Nov 17, 1911

Bassett Prentiss P. - Lieutenant - age 26 - Born: Washington, D.C.
Nye Ray - Chief Gunners Mate - age 26 - Born: Ohio
Mc Dougal John - Gunners Mate 1Cl - age 28 - Born: Maine
Cook Robert H. - Gunners Mate 2Cl - age 21 - Born: North Carolina
Eadie Thomas - Gunners Mate 3Cl - age 23 - Born: Scotland
Evans John K. - Ch. Machinists Mate - age 30 - Born: Ohio
Pf***ing William C. - Machinists Mate 1Cl - age 23 - Born: Indiana
Mitchell Frank R. - Machinists Mate 1Cl - age 24 - Born: New Hampshire
Behrens Gro**r C. - Machinists Mate 1Cl - age 24 - Born: Ohio
Mc Inard Peter P. - Machinists Mate 2Cl - age 20 - Born: Massachusetts
Du Charme Charles H. - Machinists Mate 2Cl - age 27 - Born: New Hampshire
Emerson Alfred J. - Chief Electrician - age 26 - Born: New York
De Rusha Joseph P. - Electrician 1Cl - age 23 - Born: New York
Proctor Joseph W. - Electrician 2Cl - age 23 - Born: England
Grimes Otto - Electrician 2Cl - age 22 - Born: Kentucky

Thank you to Linda Talbott of the US GenWeb Census Project ® for providing this information.
* = unknown letter
USS C-3 torpedo tubes
USS C-3 torpedo tubes
Photo provided by Rick Larson MMCM (SS) (ret.)
USS C-3 engine room
USS C-3 engine room. Photo most likely taken looking aft.
Photo provided by Rick Larson MMCM (SS) (ret.)
Bridge shot of torpedo firing
This is a photo from the bridge showing the wake of a torpedo
being fired from the port (number 2) torpedo tube of the C-3.
Photo provided by Rick Larson MMCM (SS) (ret.)
USS C-4
Crew muster

USS Bonita, Submarine No 15, later renamed C-4 attached to submarine April 15, 1910

Danenhower, Sloan - Ensign; - age 25 - Born; Maryland, Later becoming Captain of the Nautilus of the Wilkins-Ellsworth Trans Arctic Submarine Expedition fame.
Fletcher, Arnold N. - Ch. Gunners Mate; - age 21 - Born; Indiana
Prince, Charles - Gunners Mate 1Cl - age 27 - Born; New York
Richards, Thomas C. - Gunners Mate 1Cl - age 35 - Born; ****** Island
Albee, Harry L. - Gunners Mate 3Cl - age 28 - Born; District of Columbia
Tubbs, Guy L. - Ch. MMate - age 34 - Born; Iowa
Maynard, George A. - Ch. MMate - age 28 - Born; Massachusetts
Enders, John J. - MMate 1Cl - age 27 - Born; New York
Hughes, Irving H. - MMate 1Cl - age 25 - Born; New York
Young, Arthur F. - MMate 2Cl - age 23 - Born; Massachusetts
Linford, Stanley L. - MMate 2Cl - age 25 - Born; Pennsylvania
Rich, Charles H. - MMate 1Cl - age 25 - Born; Massachusetts
Green, Benjamin A. - MMate 2Cl - age 24 - Born; Indiana
Lehman, Clyde W. - Chief Electrician - age 31 - Born; Missouri
Willard, B. - Electrician 1Cl - age 27 - Born; New York
Lemcke, Elmer J. - Electrician 2Cl - age 22 - Born; Missouri
Kluck, Walter H. - Electrician 2Cl - age 22 - Born; Wisconsin

Thank you to Linda Talbott of the US GenWeb Census Project ® for providing this information.
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The USS C-4 in a photo taken around the time of her commissioning making a full speed run for the camera. There is moderate swell running and the submarine is taking water over the bow. There seems to be four or five men on the bridge. One man looks to be climbing the conning tower fair water to keep dry feet.

The C-Class submarines had a reported top speed of 11 knots on the surface and nine knots submerged. They sere powered by twin gasoline engines on the surface. Photo possibly taken off Provencetown, Mass.

Photo in the Private Collection Of Ric Hedman

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The USS Bonita, (C-4), seen in dry dock circa 1910. The name of the Bonita was officially changed to C-4 on November 17, 1911. Two of her crew are posing for the camera, one had inserted himself into the port torpedo tube. Based on the type of clothing worn by the men in the photo the time of year is most likely between April and September

There is at least one other submarine in the dry dock with Bonita. It can be seen through the scaffolding to the left in the picture. Possibly another "C" boat. On the right seen attached to the bridge railing is the the subs searchlight. The lamp itself is covered with a canvas hood for protection, keeping the lens free from the eroding effects of salt spray.

Photo in the Private Collection Of Ric Hedman

USS C-5
USS C-5 (ex-Snapper) SS 16
USS C-5 (ex-Snapper) SS 16
Crew muster

U.S.S. Snapper Submarine No 16, renamed C-5 on Nov 17, 1911

Nimitz Chester W. - Lieutenant - age 25 - Born; Texas
Enos George - Ch. Gunner's Mate - age 22 - Born; Massachusetts
Ripley Leroy H. - Gunner's Mate 2C - age 22 - Born; New York
Mc Dowell James - Gunner's Mate 2C - age 23 - Born; Massachusetts
Nelson George F. - Gunner's Mate 3C - age 21 - Born; Massachusetts
Flint Philip S. - Ch. Machinists Mate - age 26 - Born; Michigan
Fisher Charles B. - Machinists Mate 1C - age 31 - Born; Maine
Hardy William P. - Machinists Mate 1C - age 25 - Born; Massachusetts
Sh** Ralph D. - Machinists Mate 1C - age 25 - Born; Massachusetts
Jacobs Oscar H. - Machinists Mate 2C - age 24 - Born; Missouri
Maloney James A. - Machinists Mate 2C - age 26 - Born; Minnesota
Miller Adolph A. - Chief Electrician - age 29 - Born; Minnesota
Orth Paul *. - Electrician 1Cl - age 25 - Born; North Dakota
Pinninger Frank E. - Electrician 2Cl - age 24 - Born; Ohio
Grunser Louis - Electrician 1Cl - age 27 - Born; Texas

Thank you to Linda Talbott of the US GenWeb Census Project ® for providing this information.
* = unknown letter

The following sequence of events is a practice recovery of a sunk submarine by the USS Tonopah and using a "C" class sub as the sunk boat. The date isn't known but the time is probably 1915 and probably after the sinking of the USS F-4 with the loss of all hands. The rigging of the recovery crane is shown here and the method of attaching the lifting equipment to the submarine hull. For a larger version of the photos just click on the picture. Use your "Back" button to return here.

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USS Severn with an unidentified C class submarine along side.
The location is unknown but suspected to be Panama
From the Private collection of Ric Hedman

An unknown C-Boat with crew on deck at sea.
Unknown crew portrait, C-boat
Unknown crew portrait, C-boat
USS Octopus on the ways
USS Octopus on the building ways,
Fore River Shipyard, Quincy, Mass. Circa 1908-09
USS Octopus close up torpedo tube outer doors
USS Octopus close up torpedo tube outer doors
USS Octopus on the ways
USS Octopus on the building ways,
Fore River Shipyard, Quincy, Mass. Circa 1908-09
USS Octopus close up of stern
USS Octopus close up on the stern planes and rudder.
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USS Octopus, circa 1909, (previosly identified as Bonita), at the Fore River Shipyard. The other ships in the photo are identified as the SS Creole, (background) and the SS Everett, both built at Fore River.

From the Private collection of Ric Hedman
Photo Not In Public Domain
.

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USS Octopus, circa 1909, (previosly identified as Bonita), at the Fore River Shipyard. The other ship in the photo is the SS Everett, seen looming over the tiny submarine.

From the Private collection of Ric Hedman
Photo Not In Public Domain
.

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Fore River Shipyard. The other ships, (detail), in the photo are identified as the SS Creole, (background) and the SS Everett, both built at the Fore River Shipyard.

From the Private collection of Ric Hedman
Photo Not In Public Domain
.

Length 105' 4"
Beam 13' 9"
Disp. Sur. 238 tons
Disp. Sub. 275 tons
Test Depth 200'
Crew 15
Armament 2 18" Torp Tube
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