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Photo # NH 45615:  USS H-2 partially submerged in the Hudson River, 1919

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

USS H-2 (Submarine # 29, later SS-29), 1913-1931.
Name changed from Nautilus while under construction

USS H-2, a 358-ton H-1 class submarine built at San Francisco, California, was commissioned in December 1913. She was originally named Seawolf, but was renamed H-2 in November 1911, while in the early stages of construction. After serving along the Pacific Coast for nearly four years, in November 1917 she went to the Caribbean in response to the changed operational needs brought on by the First World War. Following the end of the fighting H-2 was transferred to Groton, Connecticut, where she was used for training and experiments.

H-2 returned to the Pacific Coast during January-March 1920. While en route she helped rescue survivors of her sister submarine, USS H-1, when the latter went aground on 12 March. For the next two years H-2 primarily operated out of San Pedro, California, taking part in Pacific Fleet exercises and other operational training. With other "H" type submarines, she was transferred to the Atlantic in the summer of 1922, arriving at Norfolk, Virginia in mid-September. USS H-2 was decommissioned a month later and laid up. Stricken from the Navy list in December 1930, she was sold for scrapping in September 1931.

This page features, and provides links to, all the views we have related to USS H-2 (Submarine # 29, later SS-29).

For more images concerning this submarine, see:

  • H-2 (Submarine # 29, later SS-29) -- Part II.


    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 99351

    USS H-2
    (Submarine # 29)

    Underway, probably while running trials in California waters, 1913.

    Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.

    Online Image: 74KB; 740 x 610 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 45619

    USS H-2
    (Submarine # 29)

    Underway off the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 30 January 1914.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 114KB; 740 x 595 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 45617

    USS H-2
    (Submarine # 29)

    Off the New London submarine base, Groton, Connecticut, in 1919.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 53KB; 740 x 515 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 45618

    USS H-2
    (Submarine # 29)

    At the New London submarine base, Groton, Connecticut, in 1919.
    This photograph has been annotated to identify H-2's radio antenna installation, and features an associated diagram.

    This image was used in Rear Admiral R.S. Griffin's "History of the Bureau of Steam Engineering".

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 81KB; 740 x 365 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 45620

    USS H-2
    (SS-29)

    Underway, circa 1922.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 86KB; 740 x 490 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 92168

    USS Cheyenne
    (Monitor # 10)

    In a West Coast port prior to World War I, while serving as a submarine tender.
    USS H-2 (Submarine # 29) and USS H-1 (Submarine # 28) are tied up alongside. All three ships are dressed with flags, probably for a holiday.

    Collection of Thomas P. Naughton, 1973.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 75KB; 740 x 480 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 76004

    USS Cheyenne
    (Monitor # 10)

    With USS H-3 (Submarine # 30), USS H-1 (Submarine # 28) and USS H-2 (Submarine # 29) alongside, probably at San Diego, California, circa 1914-1917.
    Note the submarines' 13-star "boat" flags, and the numbers "23", "21" and "22", on their periscope housings. The first digit of these numbers represents the Second Torpedo Flotilla, to which they were assigned. The second digit represents the individual submarine's name.
    Also note the Sailor seated on Cheyenne's port anchor.

    Courtesy of Donald M. McPherson, 1972.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 81KB; 740 x 485 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 101606

    Submarines alongside USS Cheyenne
    (Monitor # 10)

    At San Pedro, California, circa 1914-1916.
    The submarines are (from left to right):
    USS H-1 (Submarine # 28);
    USS H-2 (Submarine # 29);
    USS F-3 (Submarine # 22) and
    USS H-3 (Submarine # 30).

    Courtesy of H.R. ("Ed") Coffer, 1986

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 49KB; 740 x 490 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 66221

    USS H-2
    (Submarine # 29)

    Underway partially submerged, with her periscopes showing, circa 1919.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 56KB; 740 x 605 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 45615

    USS H-2
    (Submarine # 29)

    Partially submerged in the Hudson River, while on recruiting duty at New York City, 6 October 1919.
    At about that time, while commanded by Lieutenant Commander Clark Withers, she "performed the remarkable feat of sending a wireless message while submerged".
    Note the submarine "fish" flag atop her periscope.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 73KB; 740 x 595 pixels

     

    For more images concerning this submarine, see:

  • H-2 (Submarine # 29, later SS-29) -- Part II.


    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 6 June 2004