Seen in this photo is the tug, USS Sonoma, Fleet Tug No. 12. The only identifying marks visible in this photo is the large number "1" painted in white on the ventilator seen just to the right of the tugs funnel at the right edge of the photograph. This same identifying mark, number "1", is seen in other confirmed photos of the Sonoma. This and the topside layout confirm the tugs identity. That identifying photo was taken in approximately 1919, maybe in Bermuda, prior to her transfer to the Pacific. In earlier and later photos the "1" is missing.

The tug had been assigned to act as a tender assigned to the Atlantic Fleet. In that capacity she is seen here servicing what appears to be an "E" class submarine. All the visible hull configurations and the first number of the subs hull number, visible at the extreme right in the photo, seem to confirm the subs class identity. It will still need to be discovered whether this is the E-1 or the E-2.

The work being performed on the back of the submarine appears to be on the starboard propeller. What is being done is unknown at this time, perhaps the propeller became fouled with rope or maybe fishing nets. The men are standing on the submarines stern planes which must be slippery with hull growth and all the time these men are possibly between dozens to hundreds of feet from the seas bottom.

Seen leaning over the rail, just to the right of the standing man in civilian clothes, looking at what is going on, with great interest, appears to be a flag officer, an Admiral. Who this man is is not known and all suggestions as to his identity are welcome.

A second photo at a more extreme angle shows what may be another submarine in the distance just above the submerged bow. The suns glare is seen shining off the water surface.

The submarine is flooded down forward and even the crew are all standing on the fore-deck to possibly add weight. The stern is being held up by a cable attached to a large shackle passing through a lifting point in the stern superstructure.

This close up shows the men working on the submarine. Seen leaning over the rail, just to the right of the standing man in civilian clothes, looking at what is going on appears to be a flag officer, an Admiral.

At the right on the hull, just below the officer sitting on the tugs rail is seen some line draped on the hull and below that is the round opening for the starboard engine exhaust.

USS E-1 October 14, 1912. During the Presidential Review of 1912 on the Hudson River, New York City. The crew is "manning the rails" as they pass in review with the upper Manhattan skyline in the background.

Crew close-ups USS E-1 October 14, 1912. During the Presidential Review of 1912 on the Hudson River, New York City. The crew is "manning the rails" as they pass in review with the upper Manhattan skyline in the background. There appears to be two chiefs and an officer on the bow.

Crew close-ups USS E-1 October 14, 1912. During the Presidential Review of 1912 on the Hudson River, New York City. The crew is "manning the rails" as they pass in review with the upper Manhattan skyline in the background. On the bridge are the helmsman and the Commanding Officer. A chief is standing fourth man from the right.

Crew close-ups USS E-1 October 14, 1912. During the Presidential Review of 1912 on the Hudson River, New York City. The crew is "manning the rails" as they pass in review with the upper Manhattan skyline in the background. There appears to be a stiff wind blowing up the river by the condition of the flag. Note the flow of cooling water coming from the port diesel engine exhaust.

The USS E-1 seen here at an unidentified location most likely circa 1912 to 15. Six days after commissioning, E-1 sailed from Boston for Norfolk via Newport and New York. Off the Virginia Capes, she underwent tests through April. Her engines were overhauled at New London, and she began operations off southern New England. On 28 September, she arrived at New York Navy Yard for alterations, repairs, and installation of a Sperry gyrocompass, for which she became a pioneer underwater test ship. She also experimented with submerged radio transmission.

E-1 continued important experimental development and training with the Atlantic Fleet for the next 5 years until 4 December 1917, when she left Newport for the Azores and different duty. From 12 January 1918, she patrolled between Ponta Delgada and Horta, protecting the islands from German attack and use as a haven by U-boats. She returned to New London, 17 September. After overhaul, E-1 trained new submariners and tested experimental listening gear.

The USS E-1 seen here in a close-up at an unidentified location most likely circa 1912 to 15. Five crew are on the deck and three are on the bridge. Behind the number 2 periscope is the ships air whistle.

This is the USS E-1 SS 24 on a yet to be identified body of water. A few guesses can be made as to the location. The submarine just may well be off Provencetown, Mass where the Navy kept a measured mile course for trials, but the location may also be Long Island Sound, Narragansett Bay or Buzzards Bay. Some place with long and low coastlines with few houses. Midway between the stern and the photos right edge a large square building sits on top of the land horizon. The land extends from side to side in the photo only to disappear behind the point on the left with a few houses.

The photo looks to be taken from a ship of some kind. A pulley and davit from that vessel protrude into the photo.

The date is probably some time between 1912 and 1915. There are corroborating photos showing the same configuration of radio antennas spanning this time frame. E-1 was one of the first subs used in proving this means of communication with submarines even to the extent of being able to receive messages underwater. The masts are held up with a complicated arrangement of stays. The antenna themselves are strung between the mast heads from spreaders.

Trying to estimate dating and location of the photo has the E-1 in a wide number of various places. After commissioning on Valentines Day, February 14, 1912, she was quickly on the move. By March 23rd she was in company with the the tenders Castine and Severn, the monitor Tonopah and the submarines C-2, C-3, C-4, C-5, D-1, D-2, D-3 and E-2 and arriving at Norfolk, Va. By April 4th they had moved on to Yorktown, Virginia and remained there until August 19th when she left for left for Provencetown on the tip of the Cape Cod peninsula.

On January 1, 1913 she joined the Second Submarine Group consisting of submarines D-1, D-2, D-3, E-1, and E-2 under Lieutenant j.g. Claudius R. Hyatt. Sometime shortly after the sub group left for Cuba. By March 19th the tenders Tonopah and Castine, and the submarines D-1, D-2, D-3 and E-l have sailed from Guantanamo for Neuvitas (Cuba). By March 25th she had arrived at Jacksonville, Florida. By April she was back in New York and then on to Newport, RI. She was a busy little craft in her first year of service. So you can see the difficulty in determining her location for this photo.

On her conning tower fairwater are the numbers 2 over a 1 meaning she was in Submarine Group (Squadron) Two, (the 2) and the lead boat in at squadron (the 1). Her name, E-1, is on her hull midway between the bow and the conning tower. A hatch aft of the conning tower is open to allow the engines to have sufficient air for running. There is also an open hatch directly behind the helmsman. This hatch opens to the rear while the deck hatches open to the fore.

Looking carefully at the photo you might be able to notice an area of smoother water in a wedge shape in the lower right hand corner of the photo. This hints at the sub moving right to left, quite possibly coasting at a slow speed, before she applies a large backing bell, hence the large surge of water under her stern. Possibly to bring the coasting vessel to a stop. There is no indication that she is attempting to moor as there seems to be no line handling crews topside to perform such a function.

There are six men topside. Three men forward of the conning tower fairwater, a helmsman on top of the fairwater and an enlisted man and what looks like an officer on the aft deck. The officer looks to be wearing a long wool bridge coat. The men are in peacoats indicating that the weather is chilly and it could be anytime from fall to spring for the photo to be taken.

USS E-1 and E-2 circa 1912. We are unable to know which submarine is which. Location is unknown but it does seem to be a lot of open water and very breezy. From the dress of the men it is possibly around summer. The closest man on the right side seems to be reading a magazine.

USS E-1 passing in front of the US Navy War College c1912 or 1913. The hand written letters are explained on the photo back.

"A" is the Navy War College itself. "B" is a building that the photo referres to as a place a dance was held. "C" is 'a submarine'. The photo itself was taken from another vessel the type of which is unknown.

The explanation of the the letter symbols on the front of the photo. The person writing the notes was left handed.

Close up of the USS E-1 passing in front of the US Navy War College c1912 or 1913.

The Numbers 2 over 4 can be seen on the conning tower fairwater meaning the sub was assigned to SUBDIV 2 and was the 4th boat in rank in that Division. On the hull to the right, towards the Bow Planes, can be seen the Subs name; "E 1".

USS E-1 and E-2 shown on May 10, 1915. (the side of the D-2 can be seen to the right and the USS Tonopah, Monitor #8, is on the left) The view is on the upper westside of New York city and the moorage is at the 135th Street piers. They were part of the Presidential Review for President Wilson along with much of the Atlantic Fleet.

USS E-1 at Ponta Delgada in the Azores on January 20, 1918. As far as I know this is one of the only photos of the USS E-1 on station in WW I. She was the smallest of the US submarines to deploy overseas. Once reaching the Azores it was discovered that the typical US peacetime bridge structures made of piping and canvas were woefully inadequate and time consuming to erect and take down. Versions of the chariot bridges used by both Britain and Germany was adopted. The results of that can seen here. All US submarines adopted a version of the chariot bridge in short order. The submarines remaining in the US did not until after the war. One of the men on the bridge is most likely Lt Eric Barr, Captain of the E-1.

Note the intricate camouflage design on the unidentified ship behind.

This photo of Lieut. Eric Barr Sr is from his personal scrapbook which was recently donated to the Submarine Force Museum at Groton, Connecticut by his family. He is seen on the after deck of the submarine with what looks like a officer from a foreign Navy, possibly Portugal. The bridge fairwater can be seen behind them. We can not identify the dark square but directly above it you are looking into the rear of the chariot bridge with the periscope shears seen just next the American flag. A crewman can be seen walking forward on the deck to the right of the fairwater. Photo is circa 1918.

The crew of the USS E-1 circa April 1915. The men are standing on the deck of the E-1 and the photo is taken from a vessel along side. A number of men are Unknown.

A series of close ups showing the crew of the USS E-1 circa April 1915. The men are standing on the deck of the E-1 and the photo is taken from a vessel along side. Three of the men in this segment are Unknown.

Seven of the men in this segment are identified including Lt Thomas Withers jr the Commanding Officer and his second in command Ensign Eric L Barr who later in WW I goes on to command the E-1 in the European Theater.

Ensign Barr shows up in this last segment of of the photo and several known and unknown crew. We are fortunate to have the names we do in this photo They could have just as easily been forgotten or lost.

USS E-1 seen from a aerial view. The photo is taken prior to July 17, 1920 since she is not wearing the number 24 on her conning tower fairwater. She was assigned the designation SS 24 on that date.

This photo is notated as being a "speed run" and it can be seen she is turning a fair clip through the water. The crew on the bridge seem to be, on the left side, two chiefs and an officer. Behind the periscope is the helmsman and another enlisted man on the right side of the bridge. On deck are men readying the sub for mooring, probably at the Sub Base, New London. Mooring lines are coiled on deck and the man closest to the bow seems to be wetting down a heaving line. It can be seen trailing down the side of the sub and into the water. Next to his feet is another 'heevy' coiled for throwing. Its weighted "monkey fist" can be seen just to the side of the lifeline stanchion.

Interesting to note is that the signal yardarms attached to the #2 periscope seem to be portable in nature and are perhaps unclamped before diving.

This photo had some condition issues and we've had to do some restoration on it.

USS E-1 seen from a aerial view. The photo is taken after July 17, 1920 since she is wearing the number 24 on her conning tower fairwater. She was assigned the designation SS 24 on that date.

The E-1 was placed in commission, in reserve, on March 20, 1920 and she arrived at the Norfolk on April 22, 1920, probably doing some training duties while berthed there. While at Norfolk she received her SS designation. Then, she was placed in commission, in ordinary on July 18, 1921, and on September 17, 1921 sailed for Philadelphia, where she was decommissioned October 20, 1921 and sold for scrap on April 19, 1922.

This photo may have been taken on her last voyage to Philadelphia and the reason for the photo being taken. There appears to maybe be some civilians aboard, maybe old crew members. A shadow can be seen on the foredeck possibly from the wing of an aircraft or blimp.

This photo was in bad shape and I've had to do a lot of restoration on it.

Close up of the USS E-1 seen from a aerial view. Crew members and what appear to be civilians are seen on the deck. The Captain or Officer of the Deck can be seen on the Port or right side of the bridge. You can probably notice all the Newspaper touch-ups done to the photo to enhance its reproduction in a printed medium.

This photo was in bad shape and I've had to do a lot of restoration on it.

This crewmen has been identified, by his grandson Daniel Sweeney, as "Daniel J Sweeney" and stated that "...he kept the log..." probably meaning he was a Quartermaster who was tasked with helping navigate the submarine and keep the logbooks up to date. Poses for the camera as a crewman of the USS E-2. circa, WW I.

As the photo is captioned, the crew of the USS E-2 is on deck getting some fresh air and sunshine. The canvas weather cloths are not rigged so the submarine may be either heading out to dive or returning for diving. Perhaps the latter.

The long low shoreline in the background may be Long Island or the Connecticut coast. Time frame for the photo could be circa 1913-14. Several private yachts are seen in the background.