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Photo # NH 84663:  USS A-2 (ex-Adder) in Philippine waters with her crew on deck, prior to World War I

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --

USS Adder (Submarine # 3, later SS-3), 1903-1922.
Later renamed A-2

USS Adder was a 107-ton Holland-type submarine built at Elizabethport, New Jersey. She was commissioned in January 1903 as the first of the seven Plunger (later A-1) class "boats" to enter service and spent much of the rest of that year on experimental duty at the Newport, Rhode Island, Torpedo Station. During 1904-1909, Adder was part of the Reserve Torpedo Flotilla, based at Norfolk, Virginia.

In July 1909 Adder and her sister submarine, Moccasin, were loaded aboard the collier Caesar to be carried to the Philippine Islands. Arriving at Manila Bay at the beginning of October, she was placed back in commission in February 1910 for service with the Asiatic Fleet. Adder was renamed A-2 in November 1911. For the rest of the decade she mainly operated in the Manila Bay and Subic Bay areas, performing training, experimental and, during World War I, patrol duties. Formally given the hull number SS-3 in July 1920, some two months later A-2 was assigned to target service. She was stricken from the Navy list and sunk as a target in mid-January 1922.

This page features, and provides links to, nearly all the views we have related to USS Adder (Submarine # 3), which was renamed A-2 in 1911.

For other images concerning this submarine, see:

  • USS Adder (Submarine # 3) -- Additional Views taken circa 1903; and
  • USS A-2 (Submarine # 3), ex-Adder -- Additional Views taken in the Philippines.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

    Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

    Photo #: NH 57724

    USS Adder
    (Submarine # 3)

    Underway on the surface, while running trials, probably in Long Island Sound, circa 1903.
    Note the yacht in the distance.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 68KB; 740 x 495 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 57719

    USS Adder
    (Submarine # 3)

    Underway on the surface, while running trials, probably in Long Island Sound, circa 1903.
    Note the slicker-clad man at the wheel of her exterior conning station.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 95KB; 740 x 580 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 57721

    USS Adder
    (Submarine # 3)

    Underway on the surface, while running trials, probably in Long Island Sound, circa 1903.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 79KB; 740 x 500 pixels

    Note:
    This image is somewhat disfigured by a vertical crack running through its middle.

     
    Photo #: NH 57722

    USS Adder
    (Submarine # 3)

    With several men on deck, while she was running trials, probably in Long Island Sound, circa 1903.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 86KB; 740 x 550 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 57728

    USS Adder
    (Submarine # 3)

    With other submarines, at the Electric Boat Company/Holland Torpedo Boat Company facility, New Suffolk, Long Island, New York, circa 1903.

    Courtesy of the Whitaker Memorial Collection, Southold Library, Southold, Long Island, N.Y., 1957.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 96KB; 740 x 610 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 45937

    Electric Boat Company/Holland Torpedo Boat Company facility, New Suffolk, Long Island, New York


    Submarines in the facility basin, circa 1903.
    Boats in the front group are (from left to right):
    USS Plunger (Submarine # 2);
    USS Porpoise (Submarine # 7); and
    USS Adder (Submarine # 3).
    In the background, by the breakwater are (left-right):
    USS Shark (Submarine # 8) and
    USS Moccasin (Submarine # 5).
    Photographed by Legendre & Levick, New York.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 107KB; 740 x 580 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 78275

    USS Caesar
    (1898-1922)

    At anchor in 1908-1909, while transporting submarines to the Philippine Islands.
    The "boats" are either Porpoise (Submarine # 7) and Shark (Submarine # 8), which were embarked on Caesar in April-July 1908, or Adder (Submarine # 3) and Moccasin (Submarine # 5), which were on board in July-October 1909.

    Courtesy of Donald M. McPherson, 1973.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 81KB; 740 x 495 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 90169

    USS Adder
    (Submarine # 3)

    At the Cavite Navy Yard, Philippine Islands, circa 1910-1911.
    USS Porpoise (Submarine # 7) is in the left background.
    Note the man inside Adder's cowl ventilator.

    Collection of Phillip H. Wilson.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 110KB; 740 x 460 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 84663

    USS A-2
    (Submarine # 3), ex-USS Adder

    In Philippine waters with her crew on deck, prior to World War I.
    Note the 13-star "boat" flag flown by this submarine.

    Courtesy of Donald M. McPherson, 1976.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 65KB; 740 x 475 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 57732-A

    USS A-2
    (Submarine # 3), ex-USS Adder

    In Manila Bay, Philippine Islands, circa 1912.
    Note men working with her foredeck hatch.

    Collection of Phillip H. Wilson.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 73KB; 740 x 440 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 57730-A

    USS A-2
    (Submarine # 3), ex-USS Adder

    Underway in Manila Bay, Philippine Islands, circa 1912.

    Collection of Phillip H. Wilson.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 82KB; 740 x 435 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 90190

    USS A-2
    (Submarine # 3), ex-USS Adder

    Underway in Manila Bay, Philippine Islands, circa 1912.

    Collection of Phillip H. Wilson.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 88KB; 740 x 445 pixels

     

    For other images concerning this submarine, see:

  • USS Adder (Submarine # 3) -- Additional Views taken circa 1903; and
  • USS A-2 (Submarine # 3), ex-Adder -- Additional Views taken in the Philippines.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


    Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

    Page made 5 July 2003
    New image added 9 October 2003