f-boats

The F-Boats

USS F-4 , F-2, F-3 and F-1 and crews photographed in Hawaii in 1914.

All 4 F-Class submarines pictured from the stern.
Identities of which boat is which is not possible but if
taken at about the same time as the above photo,
it would be L to R: F-1, F-3, F-2 & F-4..

The four F-boats docked in Honolulu

The USS F-2, USS F-1 and the USS F-4.
The USS F-1 sank after a collision with the USS F-3.
The USS F-4 sank in a diving exercise off Honolulu in 1915.

The USS F-1 (ex-Carp) SS 20

USS F-1 aground off Watsonville, Ca, Oct. 11, 1912
Two men were killed in the accident. F-1 was salvaged
only to later sink in a collision with her sister ship F-3.
Photo had been previously misidentified as the USS H-3.

USS F-1 aground off Watsonville, Ca, Oct. 11, 1912
Photo had been previously misidentified as the USS H-3.

F-1 & F-4 moored to the starboard side of the USS Alert, San Pedro, Ca.
The submarines were part of the First Submarine Group of the Pacific Torpedo Flotilla.
Photo circa; 1912 to 1914.

Postcard written by a sailor assigned to the F-1 in March of 1913.
The card reads exactly as follows, misspellings an all:

San Dieago, Cal. March 1- 1913
Dear Dave
I tried to get out to see you before I left but as I shipped on the 13 - and at 10:PM I left for here - am asigned to the US Submarine F-1 for instructions 6 mon school. And if I make good a rate and one dollar & dime. Don't forget to write to a fellow ocasionally. Give my regards to the folks and many of my Best Wishes to Sis.
Your old Shipmate
J G Messary (At the bottom of the card)
USS Submarine F-1 - SdC

USS F-1 on the way to California under tow.
A ships boat from the cruiser USS Maryland is bring supplies to the sub.
This was a routine that happend every few days during the tow.
The tug Iroquois is standing by in the background.
The remaining F-Boats were ordered back to the mainland after the F-4 sank.
Date November 5, 1915.
Photo provided by The Bowfin Museum

USS F-1 on the bottom off the California coast where she sank
after being rammed by the USS F-3 on Dec 17, 1917.
19 crew were lost in the ramming. First US war time loss of a
submarine it being during World War I. Accident happened 4 miles
West of La Jolla Light. This photo is one taken by the DSRV in 1986.
Photo provided by Rick Larson MMCM (SS) (ret.)

USS F-1 on the bottom. Photo was damaged sometime during its life.
Photo provided by Rick Larson MMCM (ret.)

The USS F-2 and USS F-1 in dry dock. Date and location unknown.

The USS F-2 (ex-Barracuda) SS 21

USS F-2

USS F-2 off San Diego, Calf.

The USS F-2 and F-3 along side
an unknown submarine tender.
Location where photo was taken is unknown also.

RM2 Homer 'Pat' Dilley aboard the USS F-2.
He is standing next to the #1 periscope shear facing aft.
Photo courtesy of Mike Dilley; whose Father, Homer 'Pat' Dilley sailed aboard the USS F-2.

RM2 Homer 'Pat' Dilley at his radio set aboard the USS F-2
Photo courtesy of Mike Dilley; whose Father, Homer 'Pat' Dilley sailed aboard the USS F-2.

Some of the crew of the USS F-2 up on deck relaxing.
Photo courtesy of Mike Dilley; whose Father, Homer 'Pat' Dilley sailed aboard the USS F-2.

The crew size was 21 men and officers. These men represent the men 'Pat' Dilley sailed
with during his tour aboard the submarine. That is why there are more than 21 images here.

Chief Petty Officer Monk Cline	'Cheefoo' Ward	'Rats' Foshia
Chief Petty Officer 'Dizzy' Bill Williams	'Dopey' Walker	'Jazz' Brown
Homer 'Pat' Dilley	'Rabbit' Russell	C. I. Short
Phil Salvadore	D. T. Short	'Gay Cat' Van Natta
G. N. Tibbits	Louie Godbout	Chief Petty Officer R. W. Nivison
'Sitting Bull' Smith	'Socks'	Tom Henry
Lt. Taylor Most probably the CO	Campbell	Williams
Corson	Schmidt	Grey
'Cheefoo' Ward	Blankenship	'Rabbit', 'Cheese' 'Gaycat'

Some of the crew of the USS F-2.
Photos courtesy of Mike Dilley; whose Father, Homer 'Pat' Dilley sailed aboard the USS F-2.

Sub Base mascot Herman 'Jimmy Cheese' Reese

Herman 'Jimmy Cheese' Reese
This young man was the Sub Base mascot at San Pedro, California.
He was not a member of the US Navy but was allowed on the base.
Kind of a 'Big Brother' thing. He appears to be about 14 years of age.
Photos courtesy of Mike Dilley; whose Father, Homer 'Pat' Dilley sailed aboard the USS F-2.

USS F-2 in dry dock in Long Beach, California.
Photo courtesy of Mike Dilley; whose Father, Homer 'Pat' Dilley sailed aboard the USS F-2.

USS F-2 in dry dock in Long Beach, California.
Photo courtesy of Mike Dilley; whose Father, Homer 'Pat' Dilley sailed aboard the USS F-2.

USS F-2 bridge at sea.
Projection on the right side appears to be a portable 'head' for use on the surface.
Foreground left is the torpedo loading davit
Photo courtesy of Mike Dilley; whose Father, Homer 'Pat' Dilley sailed aboard the USS F-2.

Some of the 'Gang' on the F-2.
Notice the tall man in the center, a CPO, and the man
to the right of him, not a CPO, have switched hats.
Photo courtesy of Mike Dilley; whose Father, Homer 'Pat' Dilley sailed aboard the USS F-2.

L to R: 'Whan'; 'Anderson'; 'Rats' Fohisa, looking at the camera;
'Lewis', smoking the pipe and 'Pat' Dilley standing in the hatch.
Photo courtesy of Mike Dilley; whose Father, Homer 'Pat' Dilley sailed aboard the USS F-2.

Photo taken at sea in June of 1917.
Projection to side of bridge is portable "head" for use on surface.
Photo courtesy of Mike Dilley; whose Father, Homer 'Pat' Dilley sailed aboard the USS F-2.

Some of the crew posing for the camera. 'Pat' Dilley is on the far left.
Photo courtesy of Mike Dilley; whose Father, Homer 'Pat' Dilley sailed aboard the USS F-2.

USS F-1, USS F-3 and the USS F-2 rafted together. The USS F-4 sank in 1915.
Photo courtesy of Mike Dilley; whose Father, Homer 'Pat' Dilley sailed aboard the USS F-2.

USS F-1, USS F-3 and the USS F-2 rafted together.
Photo courtesy of Mike Dilley; whose Father, Homer 'Pat' Dilley sailed aboard the USS F-2.

These are the USS F-2's four torpedo tubes. The "Business End" as they were called by the crew.
Photo courtesy of Mike Dilley; whose Father, Homer 'Pat' Dilley sailed aboard the USS F-2.

Some crew swimming off the stern at San Pedro

Three of the crew members of the F-2 swimming off the
stern of the F-2 at San Pedro submarine base.
Photo courtesy of Mike Dilley; whose Father, Homer 'Pat' Dilley sailed aboard the USS F-2.

Top left: Louie Godbout Top Right: Gay-Cat Van Natta, Ditty Box Rice & Rabbit Russell
Botton Left: Cheifie Johnston & Obie Short Bottom Right: George Tibbits & Homer 'Pat' Dilley
Photo courtesy of Mike Dilley; whose Father, Homer 'Pat' Dilley sailed aboard the USS F-2.

Ships gang plank is being used as a diving board rigged across the stern.
Photo courtesy of Mike Dilley; whose Father, Homer 'Pat' Dilley sailed aboard the USS F-2.

USS F-3 in frame, Seattle Construction & Dry Dock November 3, 1909
Photo courtesy of Bill Lightfoot, author of Beneath The Surface.

USS F-3 with hull plates installed, Seattle Construction & Dry Dock, circa 1910
Photo courtesy of Bill Lightfoot, author of Beneath The Surface.

USS F-3 near completion, Seattle Construction & Dry Dock

USS F-3 nearly finished. The rotating torpedo tube outer door casting
has been installed, Seattle Construction & Dry Dock, September 30, 1911
Photo courtesy of Bill Lightfoot, author of Beneath The Surface.

USS F-3 stern near completion, Seattle Construction & Dry Dock

USS F-3 stern nearly finished. circa 1911
Photo courtesy of Bill Lightfoot, author of Beneath The Surface.

USS F-3 stern finished, Seattle Construction & Dry Dock

USS F-3 stern finished. June 30, 1911
Photo courtesy of Bill Lightfoot, author of Beneath The Surface.

USS F-3 launch, Seattle Construction & Dry Dock

USS F-3 launch. January 6, 1912
Seattle PI Photo
Photo courtesy of Bill Lightfoot, author of Beneath The Surface.

The USS F-3 (ex-Pickeral) SS 22 underway off Diamond Head, Territory of Hawaii

Crew of F-3 standing on deck. Note on the back of the photo states:
"The crew of the F-3 in their heavy weather togs.
I am the 12th from the forward end of the boat"
This photo was owned by a crewman or sent to family or friends from the person.

A good close-up of the superstructure of F-3 showing periscopes and radio mast.

F-3 Captain & Executive officer

F-3 chief petty officers

F-3 Crew.
The man on the right is the one who made the notations on the original photo.

F-3 Crew

Workmen working on the F-3 while crew photo is being taken

Two unidentified F-class submarines in dry dock together, Hawaii, circa 1914 to 1920's.

Two unidentified F-class submarines in dry dock together.
They are bow to bow in the dry dock.

USS F-3 tied up inboard of the USS H-3
Photo courtesy of Carolyn Fields Snider whose Uncle, Harry Fields took the photos or is in them.

USS F-3 outside Pearl Harbor waiting to pick up her towline for the tow back to the mainland.
After the sinking of the F-4 the F class subs were replaced by newer classes of subs.
The subs were towed because they didn't have the range to make it on their own and were prone to break downs.
Photo from the Private Collection of Ric Hedman.

The USS F-4 (ex-Skate) SS 23
March 25, 1915 the USS F-4 sank with all hands lost off Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii

The USS Skate (F-4) SS 23 in frame at the Moran Ship yard November 3, 1909.
The view is from the starboard bow.

The USS Skate (F-4) SS 23 in frame at the Moran Ship yard November 3, 1909.
The view is from the starboard beam.

The USS Skate (F-4) SS 23 at the Moran Ship yard.
The view is the same as above but taken on January 3, 1910. A good part of the hull plate has been attached.

The USS Skate (F-4) SS 23 stern view at the Moran Ship yard June 10, 1910.
To the left in the photo, between the wood support members, you can see the rudder and stern planes casting in place.
A Moran shipyard worker looks at the photographer as the photo is taken.

The USS F-4 and another F-class submarine dockside.
The unidentified boat is probably the F-2 or F-3 since the F-1 had a large
dome on her deck. Notice the spar bouys stacked on the dock.
The back of the card reads; "Here is a picture of the Submarine
F4 which sank in the harbor here, with 21 men on board. I suppose
you read about it in the papers. The Maryland is here now getting it up."

These Crew Photos Have Been Contributed To The COMSUBPAC Page About The F-4
Crew of the F-4

George T. Ashcroft,GM1	Clark G. Buck, GM2	Ernest C. Cauvin, MM2	Harley Colwell, EMC
Walter F.Covington,MM1	George L. Deeth, EM1	Alfred L. Ede, LT (CO)	Frederick Gilman, GM1
Aliston H. Grindle,EMC	Frank N. Herzog, EM2	Edwin S. Hill, MM1	Francis M. Hughson,MM1
Albert F. Jennie, EM2	Archie H. Lunger, GM2	Ivan L. Mahan, MM1	Horace L. Moore, GM1
William S. Nelson, MMC	Timothy Parker,Ens( XO)	Frank C. Pierard, GMC	Charles H. Wells, MM2
Henry A. Withers, GM1

LT Alfred L. Ede, Commanding Officer

Harley Colwell EMC	Edwin S. Hill, MM1	George L. Deeth, EM1
Frank C. Pierard, GMC	Francis M. Hughson,MM1	Archie H. Lunger, GM2
George T. Ashcroft, GM1	Clark G. Buck, GM2	Ernest C. Cauvin, MM1
Walter F. Covington, MM1	Frederick Gilman, GM1	Aliston H. Grindle, C Elect.
Frank H. Herzog, ET2	Albert F. Jennie, ET2	Ivan L. Mahan, MM1
Horace L. Moore, GM1	William S. Nelson, MMC	Ensign Timothy A. Parker, XO

Charles H. Wells, MM2

Henry A. Withers, GM1

Mixed crews of submariners on deck of F boat

This photo of submarine crews contains six men from the ill-fated USS F-4. The photo appears to have been taken on the deck of the F-1 since she shows an object on her deck like the one in front of George L. Deeth, EM1 second man from right. The weapons loading davit appears to be the same in shape and location as in other "F" class photos. There is another "F" class submarine in the photo just behind the men. Between Chief Colwell and the man in the old fashioned bathing suit can be seen part of a torpedo loading ramp. Behind the head of the second man from left, Archie H. Lunger, GM2, is the forward periscope fairing. The after periscope faring is behind the man on the far left. The bridge access trunk can be seen between the two periscopes. Photo taken prior to March 25, 1915.

~~~USS F-4 Salvage photos~~~

USS F-2 supplies high pressure air to fill the pontoons to raise the F-4.
The men on the bow are handling a mooring line.
You can see it in the water in front of the bow of the F-2.

USS F-2 supplies high pressure air to fill the pontoons to raise the F-4.
The men on the bow are handling a mooring line.

USS F-2 crew on deck during the air supply opperation

USS F-2 commanding officer on the bridge while she supplies
high pressure air to fill the pontoons to raise the F-4.

USS F-2 crew on aft deck handling lines for mooring to the barge.
to supply high pressure air to fill the pontoons to raise the F-4.

Crew on the salvage barge manning the air manifold.
Most likely officers and consultants are under the awnings.
High pressure air supplied by the sistership USS F-2.

Part of the salvage team on the barge to raise the F-4.
Men are most likely looking over the side to try and see what divers are doing.

Part of the salvage team on the barge to raise the F-4.
Men are resting or off duty relaxing under an awning.

Note on back of photo says:
"First pontoons up, Second pontoon showing.
Master Rigger Fred Busse who closed flood valves on first set of Pontoons"

Master Rigger Fred Busse

Master Rigger Fred Busse on pontoon

Pontroons are up and the move to Pearl Harbor is about to get under way.
The tug is most likely the USS Navajo.

One of the rigger walking on the pontoons.

One of the riggers walking on the pontoons checking fastening before the tow to Pearl harbor begins.

USS F-4 salvage pontoons. The F-4 has been raised and is hanging from them.

Navy crew in row boat checking lines

Pontoons with the F-4 hanging beneath them entering Pearl Harbor.
Master Rigger Fred Busse is standing on the front of the left pontoon.

American Flag tied at half mast to an oar in honor of the 21 men who died aboard the F-4.

Pontoons with the F-4 hanging beneath them entering Pearl Harbor.
American Flag tied at half mast to an oar in honor of the 21 men who died aboard the F-4.

Pontoons with the F-4 hanging beneath them entering Pearl Harbor.
Salvage swimmers riding the pontoons into Pearl Harbor.

Pontoons with the F-4 hanging beneath them entering Pearl Harbor.
Salvage crew riding the pontoons into Pearl Harbor.

Observers watching the F-4 being brought into Pearl Harbor

Tying the pontoons up to the Quarantine Wharf in Pearl Harbor.
Flag tied to oar is at half mast for the 21 men who died.

Tying the pontoons up to the Quarantine Wharf in Pearl Harbor.
Notice the German Shepard dog aboard the pontoon.

Pontoons are closer to the Quarantine Wharf in Pearl Harbor.

F-4 in dry dock. Admiral Clifford J.Bousch is in white in the forground.
Hole in the portside of the forward compartment caused by battery acid weakening the hull is shown.

F-4 in dry dock. Showing damage to stern.
Hole in the portside of the forward compartment caused by battery acid weakening the hull is shown.

F-4 in dry dock. Showing damage to rudders and stern planes and propellers.

F-4 in dry dock. Showing damage to rudders and stern planes and propellers.
The stern planes and rudders have been torn away during the salvage effort.
The rams for the planes and rudders can be seen under the right hand propeller.
The skeg for holding the rudder is twisted almost 90 degrees to port.

F-4 port engine exhaust is shown. The super structure surrounding this has all been ripped away.

Damage caused by lifting chains during salvage effort.

USS F-4 in the Dry Dock. She is resting almost upside down
Note hole in port side of hull caused by implosion by water pressure.

Hole in hull is examined. The port bow plane can be seen in the foreground.

USS F-4 laying on her side in dry dock
Photo courtesy of Mike Dilley; whose Father, Homer 'Pat' Dilley sailed aboard the USS F-2.

View of F-4's port side name plate, taken in dry dock at Honolulu, Hawaii, circa late August or early September 1915, after she had been raised from over 300 feet of water and towed into port.
These figures are mounted on the submarine's port bow, and are shown upside down, as she was dry-docked rolled to starboard approximately 120 degrees from the vertical.

The following artical is from the March 28th 1915 issue
of The New York Times
Copyright The New York Times

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The author is a Member of The HTML Writers Guild