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NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive

Patch contributed by
Don McGrogan, BMCS, USN (ret.)

Octopus / C-1 (SS-9)

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Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description		Contributed By
	95k	The Octopus class was the first designed entirely by L.Y. Spear (Holland had left Electric Boat). As in the Viper design, the periscope was a fixed-eyepiece type let into the conning tower. Note the scope directly under the engine to collect cooling water; until the 1930s, U.S. submarines engines used seawater as a coolant. The high speed diesels introduced at that time used closed circuit cooling, in which fresh water circulated around the cylinders and surrendered its heat to a heat exchanger (radiator) in contact with the sea. This design introduced E.B.'s characteristic stern, with two propeller shafts nearly parallel to the axis of the hull, rudders and stern planes arranged symmetrically around that axis, and heavy skegs protecting and supporting planes and rudders. This was also the first class of U.S. subs completed with a bell for underwater signaling (it was later fitted to earlier boats). Air-operated signal bells were superseded in later designs by electrically operated Fessenden oscillators, which could put out stronger signals.		Drawing by Jim Christley. Photo & text courtesy of U.S. Submarines Through 1945, An Illustrated Design History by Norman Friedman. Naval Institute Press.
	95k	Octopus (SS-09) being prepared for launching, at the Fore River Ship Building Company shipyard, Quincy, Massachusetts, 4 October 1906.		Courtesy of the U.S. Naval Historical Center, Photograph # NH 44578.
	95k	Halftone reproduction of a photograph taken during launching of the Octopus (SS-09) at the Fore River Ship Building Company shipyard, Quincy, Massachusetts, 4 October 1906.		Courtesy of the U.S. Naval Historical Center, Photograph # NH 44579.
	2.4k	THE OCTOPUS (SS-09). Largest submarine ever built for the United States Navy. She will compete in the Newport tests this week.		Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC. Photo from New-York Tribune. (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 28 April 1907, Image 52, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
	2.01k	THE NEW TYPE OCTOPUS (SS-09).		Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC. Photo from The Washington Times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 28 April 1907, Magazine Section, Image 46, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
	2.79k	SUBMARINE OCTOPUS (SS-09). Making record breaking submerged run 15 feet below surface.		Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC. Photo from New-York Tribune. (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 10 May 1907, Image 8, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
	78k	Octopus (SS-09) surfacing after a submerged run, during her preliminary trials, off Newport, Rhode Island, July 1907.		Courtesy of the U.S. Naval Historical Center, Photograph # NH 44576.
	57k	Octopus (SS-09) photographed during trials, circa 1907.		Courtesy of the U.S. Naval Historical Center, Photograph # NH 44577.
	81k	Photograph taken circa 1907, when Octopus (SS-09) was first completed. It was published on a color-tinted postal card by Thomson & Thomson, Boston, Massachusetts, prior to World War I.		Courtesy of Commander Donald J. Robinson, USN (Retired), 1978. Courtesy of the U.S. Naval Historical Center, Photograph # NH 88481.
	74k	Octopus (SS-09) in port, probably when first completed, circa 1907.		Courtesy of the U.S. Naval Historical Center, Photograph # NH 98945.
	1.39k	Naval Reserves Travel 18 Miles Under Sea THE SUBMARINE TORPEDO BOAT OCTOPUS (SS-09) Militia Gets Practical Experience in the Handling and Navigating of Submarine Boats, and All Are Enthusiastic Over Sensation.		Image and text provided by Library of Virginia; Richmond, VA. Photo from The Times Dispatch. (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 12 August 1908, Image 8, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
	528k	SUBMARINE THAT TOOK PART IN GREAT RECORD SWIM		Image and text provided by University of Hawaii at Manoa; Honolulu, HI. Photo from Evening Bulletin. (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii) 1895-1912, 22 July 1911, 3:30 EDITION, Image 17, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
	1.25k	In Wake of Craft That Cleaves the Depths Lie Many Dead Pioneers Experiments That Led Up to Wonderful Feat of a Squadron of American Submarines the Other Day Have Cost Hundreds of Lives and Millions of Money.		Embedded text courtesy of U.S. Submarines Through 1945, An Illustrated Design History by Norman Friedman. Naval Institute Press. PDF Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC. Photo from New-York Tribune. (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 2 July 1911, Image 17, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
	3.4k	Meyer Risked Lives of Crew for Mrs. Goelet.		Image and text provided by Washington State Library; Olympia, WA. & Library of Congress, Washington, DC. Photo from The Tacoma Times. (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 02 August 1911, Image 7, & New-York Tribune (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 27 July 1911, Image 1 via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
	136k	The Salmon (SS-19),Grayling (SS-18), Tarpon (SS-14), Octopus (SS-09), Bonita (SS-15) with the battleship Nebraska (BB-14) in the background on 28 October 1911.		Digital ID # 2162989549_03ac37e6c6_o, LC-B2-2335-13. Source: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, from the George Grantham Bain Collection, courtesy of Tom Kermen.
	136k	Bow of the tender Severn and her charges: Salmon (SS-19),Grayling (SS-18), Tarpon (SS-14), Octopus (SS-09), Bonita (SS-15) with the battleship Nebraska (BB-14) in the background on 28 October 1911.		Digital ID # 2163790702_9293e5e616_o. Source: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, from the George Grantham Bain Collection, courtesy of Tom Kermen.
	648k	The Octopus (SS-09), Soon to Be Known as C-1, In Drydock When she emerges from her berth in drydock at the New York navy yard, the submarine Octopus will be the C-1. This is in pursuance the new policy of the vessels of this class by letter and number instead of by names of fishes as has generally been done in the navy. In making the change the navy department is following the practice of the British and French, and perhaps anticipating the time when the United States shall have built so many submarines that all the commonly known denizens of the deep would not suffice for the naming of them.		Image and text provided by Ohio Historical Society, Columbus, OH. Photo from The Democratic Banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 23 January 1912, Image 1, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
	340k	C-1 (SS-09), during the Naval Review week in New York City, 4th October 1912. The battleship Kearsarge (BB-05) is in the background.		NARA (National Archives and Record Administration) photo # 19-N-13646, courtesy of Daniel Dunham & fixed by Jim Kelling.
	1.2k	DANIELS ENJOYS HIS TRIP IN SUBMARINE		Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC. Photo from The Washington Times., 1902-1939, 4 April 1913, Last Edition, Image 2, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov. PDF added 07/17/11.
	785k	UNCLE SAM TESTS WORKING OF ELECTRIC TOWING LOCOMOTIVES IN PANAMA CANAL; BIG LINER PASSES THROUGH GATUN LOCKS Top, the tender (Severn), followed by navy submarines, in lower east chamber of Gatun locks, waiting for the water to be lowered to sea level; bottom, towed by electrically-driven locomotives on lines suggesting switchbacks; the tender (Severn) entering the middle east chamber of the Gatun locks.		Image and text provided by University of Utah, Marriott Library. Photo from The Ogden Standard. (Ogden City, Utah) 1913-1920, 13 June 1914, 4 P.M. City Edition, Image 1, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
	695k	USING CANAL LOCK CHAMBER AS DRY DOCK FOR SUBMARINES Five of Uncle Sams submarines which will guard the Pacific entrance to the canal are resting on the floor of the upper lock chamber of the Gatun locks. Workmen are busy overhauling, painting and repairing the vessels prior to their taking up their duties as guardians of the Pacific approach to the canal.		Image and text provided by University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE. Photo from The Red Cloud Chief. (Red Cloud, Webster Co., Neb.) 1873-1923, 09 April 1914, Image 7, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
	53k	C-1 (SS-09); C-2 (SS-13) & C-3 (SS-14) operating at Gatun Locks. C-Class submarines and tender (Severn). Attaching cables from towing locomotives and moving into position to enter upper locks, 14 April 1914.		NARA (National Archives and Record Administration) photo # 19-N-502, courtesy of Daniel Dunham.
	92k	C-Class submarines in the Gatun Locks, Panama Canal, circa 1914. Photograph printed on a color-tinted postal card, prior to World War I. The submarine present include (in no particular order): C-1 (SS-09); C-2 (SS-13); C-3 (SS-14); C-4 (SS-15); and C-5 (SS-16).		Courtesy of the U.S. Naval Historical Center, Photograph # NH 85276.
	221k	Bow on view of C-Class submarines in the Gatun Locks, Panama Canal, circa 1914. Photograph printed on a color-tinted postal card, prior to World War I. The submarine present include (in no particular order): C-1 (SS-09); C-2 (SS-13); C-3 (SS-14); C-4 (SS-15); and C-5 (SS-16).		Photo courtesy of Tommy Trampp.
	301k	Scenic port scene showing the Octopus (SS-09), C-2 (SS-13) & C-5 (SS-16) tied up alongside their tender with other vessels.		US Navy photo, courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
	105k	The Octopus (SS-09) in dock, location unknown. Note the rotating bow cap, which has exposed the muzzle of her port torpedo tube.		Photo Submarine Force Museum and Library & submitted by Robert Hurst. Text courtesy of U.S. Submarines Through 1945, An Illustrated Design History by Norman Friedman. Naval Institute Press.
	489k	SUBMARINES HELP PROTECT CANAL ZONE Five United States submersibles in the Gatun lock on the Atlantic side of the canal. Extraordinary precautions have been taken to guard the waterway. All Germans in the employ of the government were dismissed immediately when we broke with the kaiser.		Image and text provided by Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records; Phoenix, AZ. Photo from Tombstone Epitaph. (Tombstone, Ariz.) 1887-current, 25 February 1917, WEEKLY EDITION, Image 1, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.

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View the Octopus / C-1 (SS-9)
DANFS history entry located on the Haze Gray & Underway Web Site.

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Crew Contact And Reunion Information
Not Applicable to this Vessel

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Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
Through the Looking Glass, a Historic Look at Submarines

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